Who likes rejection? Me, either. And yet there is something even worse than rejection. Something that gets us all worked up and nervous, something that creates the kind of environment where rejection becomes certain: fear of rejection. Fear of rejection is far worse than rejection. Make the request. Listen for the answer. Move ahead. -- doug smith Leadership Action Plan Leaders must deal with rejection on a daily basis. Today, the very next time someone rejects one of your requests, pause in silence for three full seconds. Stay curious, and find out what they might need in order to give you what you requested.