Aren't You Afraid?

I’ve gotten the question a lot. Got it when I gave up stable and rewarding employment to serve in the Peace Corps for two years. Aren’t you afraid you’ll have to start all over from the bottom rung of the career ladder when you get back?

Got it when I left another highly satisfying job, took a 25% pay cut and gave up a sweet pension plan for work in the nonprofit sector with no health insurance and no 401K. Aren’t you taking a huge financial risk, aren’t you afraid you’ll later regret the loss of economic security?

Got the question whenever I outed corrupt officials. Aren’t you afraid you’ll be blackballed? Got it with each and every professional detour. Aren’t you afraid you’ll diminish your legacy?

Got it again when I sensed it was time to step away from a position of leadership and pass the baton in hopes of infusing my team with new blood. Won’t you miss being in charge, aren’t you afraid your successor will screw up what you’ve worked so hard for?

Got it once more when I traded the r…