Facing FOMU (Fear of Messing Up): Turning Risk Into a Business Advantage

By Brittany Martin Déjean

Do you ever find yourself feeling uneasy interacting with people with disabilities or hesitating to discuss disability altogether?

When it comes to disability inclusion, many leaders and professionals face FOMU—the Fear of Messing Up. It is a common human experience fueled by misconceptions, assumptions and lack of confidence. Combine this with the fear of the potential “blowback” from a mistake, and you have a recipe that normalizes avoidance and denial as default reactions. When we let our fear lead to silence or inaction, we inadvertently stall the very progress we hope to achieve. 

The Problem with Avoidance

Avoidance might feel safe in the short term, but it’s not a strategy. It prevents genuine connection and empathy required for true inclusion. If we are too afraid to speak or act, we can’t grow. More importantly, we can’t foster an environment where others feel safe to learn from and with us. 

From Punishment to Accountability

Many good people want to do better, but don’t know where to start. Mistakes often feel threatening because of the fear of shame or punishment for errors. Fostering growth is not about avoiding or overlooking mistakes, but about practicing empathetic accountability. This looks like: 

• Acknowledging Harm: Validating the experience of those affected by the mistake.
• Educating: Providing the training and knowledge to course correct.
• Creating Psychological Safety: Making a conscious effort to ensure people feel safe enough to be imperfect. 

Striking the Balance

Inclusion isn’t about getting an “A” on an exam, it’s about awareness and human connection. Have an open mind to learn more about people whose lives, backgrounds and experiences are different from your own and challenge any preconceived notions and assumptions. Transform mistakes into opportunities for growth. Cultivate a culture in your business that welcomes imperfection. 

Real change happens in the small, daily decisions to prioritize empathy over fear. As we look toward 2026, commit to dismantling FOMU and embrace the lessons that only come through honest, imperfect action. It’s a great way to strengthen your business and amplify your impact.