Avoid Having a Henny Penny Moment: How to Lead with Courage and Conquer Your Fear

by Dr. Les Wright, Jr.

We all remember the story of Henny Penny—the overly worried chicken who felt something fall on her head and immediately declared, “The sky is falling!” Instead of checking facts, she ran around spreading panic. Cute in a children’s story, but not so cute when it happens in real life or at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Fear is sneaky like that. It whispers worst-case scenarios, magnifies uncertainty, and turns acorns into apocalypses.

• Your relatives are whispering in the kitchen.

  Reality: They’re hiding the sweet potato casserole so the kids don’t find it early.

• Your boss emails, “We need to talk on Monday.”

  Reality: It’s probably about scheduling—not your impending unemployment.

• Your partner says, “We need to plan Thanksgiving dinner.”

  Reality: Not judgment. Just logistics. (And maybe a plea for you not to burn the rolls this year.)

Fear spreads like wildfire—just ask Henny Penny.

Fear isn’t the enemy. Fear is your brain’s built-in alarm system. The issue is that fear often reacts quicker than reason, especially when you’re under stress.

In other words, don’t assume the sky is falling when it might just be Aunt Linda dropping her pecan pie.

But conquering your fear—whether at work, at home, or while managing the delicate dynamics of a family holiday—requires the ability to pause, evaluate, and choose reason over reaction.

Here are some strategies to lead with courage and conquer your fears.

1. Name what you’re feeling. Say: “I’m feeling anxious about ___.” Naming emotions lessens their power.

2. Run the “3-F Test: Facts, Feelings, Forecast.”

• Facts: What do I know is true?

• Feelings: What story am I telling about it?

• Forecast: What are three possible outcomes (not just the worst one)?

3. Slow down your reaction. Ask yourself the following:

• “Is this an acorn or a falling sky?”

• “What evidence supports my fear?”

• “Has this ever turned out fine before?”

4. Choose courageous action. Courage isn’t loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply saying this:

• “Let’s pause.”

• “Let me think about that.”

• “I need a moment.”

Courage is responding, not reacting.

Closing Thoughts

Courage isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a practiced pattern: pause, assess, decide, communicate, and learn. When the next acorn hits your plan, or you’re navigating unpredictable moments even around the Thanksgiving table, remember this: acorns fall—pies slip. Life gets messy. But overall, the sky isn’t falling, and it’s still fine.

May your Thanksgiving be full of calm hearts, grounded conversations, and just the right amount of pie.