Why do leaders need to talk about fear and emotion at work?
What are the hidden dangers of emotional suppression in tough, self-reliant industries?
How can authentic leaders address fear in the workplace without losing authority or trust?
Why is it important for leaders to acknowledge fear and model emotional authenticity at work?
What happens when leaders suppress fear instead of steering it with authenticity and clarity?
How can leaders in high-stakes industries use authenticity to navigate fear and build trust?
If you've ever been told to “suck it up,” “walk it off,” or “leave it at the door,” congratulations! You’ve had a front-row seat to emotional shutdown culture. One that’s usually recognized, reinforced, and modeled by top leadership.
In this conversation, I talk with counselor and wilderness enthusiast Russell Peterson about how emotional avoidance, particularly in male-dominated, tough-it-out industries, stems not from weakness but from survival systems that overfunction. The good news? We can learn to steer fear productively... and finally ditch the myth that showing emotion makes us fragile.
We unpack how to help leaders become culture shapers, not emotional bottlenecks
Two Big Takeaways for Leaders
Understand How and Why We Shut Down
Steer Fear Productively
About Russell Peterson
Russell is a counselor based in the Intermountain West, with over a decade of experience supporting military members, first responders, and emotionally high-risk professions. He’s the creator of the Technology of Survival, a model that reframes emotions not as problems to be fixed but as essential instincts that just need a little fine-tuning.
When he’s not teaching people how to get out of emotional lockdown, you’ll find him in the backcountry, practicing what he preaches (and probably starting a fire with flint and a spoon).
Show Notes & Resources
Learn more about the ManKind Project and their work to redefine masculinity: https://mankindproject.org/
Russell’s “Technology of Survival”: https://www.iowacebh.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Technology-of-Survival_March-5-1.pdf
Want to lead culture change?
World Health Organization & International Labour Organization. (2022). Mental health at work: Policy brief. Geneva: WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052
Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. (2022). The Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/workplace-mental-health-well-being.pdf
"Workplace leaders and supervisors across all industries can have a powerful impact on worker well-being by setting organizational culture, shaping the day-to-day experiences of workers, and prioritizing workforce engagement. The most effective leaders express compassion, empathy, and generosity; communicate openly, often, and clearly; and practice human- and wellness-centered leadership." HHS.gov
Hawthorne, E. (n.d.). The role of leadership in mental health initiatives. Corporate Wellness Magazine. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/the-role-of-leadership-in-mental-health-initiatives
"When leaders prioritize mental health and well-being, it sends a powerful message to employees that their mental health matters and is valued by the organization."
Brene Brown on Fear and Armor https://youtu.be/7LbI19ZiMlI?si=eLO-P3-SRTpNRsK4
Want to change your workplace culture? It starts with a conversation — this one.