The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy

Chapter 28

Fear and Trust

George walked into his office building like he owned it, ready to love and inspire his team. But as he walked toward the elevator and thought about the mountainous challenge that lay in front of him, self-doubt reared its ugly head again as it always had. What if they don’t love me back, he thought. It wouldn’t be the first time love had gone unanswered. What if I can’t inspire my team? What if I can’t inspire myself? What if it’s all too late? Fear consumed him and he felt like someone had hauled off and punched him right in the stomach. Doubled over and unable to breathe, he looked out the window and saw his bus driving away. He knew that what Joy and Jack had told him were powerful truths, but living them and making them real was an entirely different matter altogether. Caught between knowledge and action, George was paralyzed by fear.

The elevator door opened and closed as he just stood there unable to move. On the bus he had felt safe but now he felt like a chained gladiator about to be thrown into a cage with a bunch of lions that didn’t care about the bus rules. His mind was so preoccupied with his negative thoughts that he didn’t notice a familiar rival standing in front of him, nervous and shaking.

Michael spoke first. “I know I quit, George, and I know I told you that your bus is going to crash but I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and Jamie ...