Everyone feels fear. Yes, even the bravest of heroes; including those people who run into burning buildings when everybody else is running out of them. How do they do that? Why do they have so much more courage? How do they overcome the fear?

They don't. They feel the fear and take action anyway.

Business people and leaders usually don't have to run into burning buildings, but they do have fears to face. Here are some thoughts about fear and courage.

Everyone has both. The key difference between us and the brave hero, manager, or entrepreneur is that the hero lets him/herself feel the fear. Many others however, let it paralyze them, and try to wait it out, hoping it will go away. It won't. Heroes know that if they let themselves feel the fear, and hold onto to it just one moment longer, they will push through to the courage on the other side. They take action in spite of the fear.

One of my favorite business magazines, Fast Company, printed an article in September 2004 written by John McCain. In that article, McCain wrote one of the best perspectives on courage that I have ever read: "Courage is the highest quality of life attainable by human beings. It's the moment - however brief or singular - when we are our complete, best self, when we know with an almost metaphysical certainty that we are right. One thing we can claim with complete confidence is that fear is indispensable to courage, that it must always be present for courage to exist. You must be afraid to have courage.

Don't let the sensation of fear convince you that you're too weak to have courage. Fear is the opportunity for courage, not the proof of cowardice."

There it is - fear and courage are inseparable...an unexpected connection. If you don't feel fear, you don't need courage.

Here is one perspective to help you deal with fear: it is simply a reaction - a physical sensation - to new challenges and changes. Fear has been built into us to protect us. In the early stages of mankind, we needed fear to tell us when to run away from a saber-tooth tiger or enemy. These days we need fear to keep us from crossing a busy highway on foot during rush hour. These sensations of fear have kept us alive and still do from time to time. But currently, most situations that people fear don't involve life-threatening issues, although it may feel like it! Perhaps it will help you face your fears by keeping in mind that the fear you feel is merely a physiological response and will not hurt you. It's your body saying, "Look out, something new and different is happening (or, you need to do something new or different) so be aware!" You can thank the amazing vessel you live in for watching out for you, and then move on.

Another point to remember is that courage is not a gift for a chosen few. It is a decision. We have to make a conscious choice to step up to a situation, let ourselves feel that fear and then step through it to the courage on the other side.

And finally, the most important element of courage is action. Walk into what you're afraid of - 99.99 percent of the time it will not kill you. I'll take that .01% chance. Will you?