Yesterday, I had a Teen Startup Squad coaching session with a very smart, but shy, 14-year-old girl—let’s call her Sally. Over the past few weeks, Sally and I have been working together, using the Teen Startup Canvas™ to help shape her business idea into something she can confidently present to her class. She’s been putting in the effort, and her idea is solid. Honestly, I’m really proud of her—and so are her parents.
But as we near the day of her class presentation, something familiar has started to show up: fear. Sally’s been struggling with a fear of failure and, even more deeply, a fear of ridicule from her peers. This is something I come across a lot, not just with young entrepreneurs but with adults, too. It’s a common fear, and it can be crippling.
To help Sally work through it, I shared a simple equation that I use often in my coaching:
Stuff You Know x Effort + Stuff You Don’t Yet Know = Growth
It’s a straightforward formula, but it’s powerful. The idea behind it is that growth happens when you step into the unknown, armed with the knowledge you already have and a willingness to apply effort. It’s not about knowing everything before you begin—it’s about embracing the learning process and being willing to expand your skill set along the way.
Scientific Data Sketch Proving Fear = Growth 🤓
To illustrate the equation during the sessions, I even sketched out a few highly detailed (and totally non scientific) diagrams – I’ll share them here. They’re nothing fancy, but I definitely think they help to visualize that growth happens in the overlap of what you know and what you don’t yet know. When you combine effort with curiosity and openness to learning, that’s when you unlock your true potential.
This has been my approach to coaching from day one. Whether I’m working with young teens like Sally or experienced adults, the principle is the same: fear is natural, but it can’t be the thing that holds you back. When you acknowledge what you already know, and trust in your ability to learn and grow, you can overcome that fear and achieve something great.
For Sally, it’s not about delivering a perfect presentation. It’s about giving her the confidence to step up, share her idea, and learn from the experience. Growth happens when you take that first step into the unknown—and I know Sally is ready for it.
Final Thoughts: Embrace The Unknown, it’s Where Growth Begins
As I continue coaching young entrepreneurs like Sally, I’m reminded that fear isn’t just something to manage—it’s something to lean into. If we can help the next generation understand that fear of the unknown is simply part of the growth process, we’ll be setting them up for success, not just in business, but in life.
What’s the unknown that you need to step into today? Let’s grow together.
— Coach Steve
