Charles Hayes fue el cerebro detrás de la expansión de IDEO en Asia. Ha vivido más de 15 años entre Singapur y Shanghái, ha trabajado con líderes globales, y fue reconocido con el Magnolia Silver Award por el gobierno chino. Pero su historia no termina ahí.

En este blog, Charles nos comparte tres momentos decisivos donde eligió enfrentar el miedo:
Desde subirse a un escenario sin tener idea de actuar, hasta cruzar medio continente en moto y mostrar su lado más creativo en público.
A través de estas experiencias, reflexiona sobre el poder de la vulnerabilidad, la incomodidad y la autenticidad como motores de crecimiento. Y lo hace con una voz honesta, reflexiva y muy humana.

Una lectura para quienes saben que lo incómodo muchas veces es el mejor camino hacia lo que importa.

Doing Things That Terrify You: Lessons Learned on the Road Less Traveled
by Charles Hayes

Abril 14, 2025

I’ve always believed that the things that scare us the most are often the gateways to our greatest personal growth. Looking back at the defining moments in my life, it’s clear that when I chose to face my fears head-on, I discovered new strengths, passions, and opportunities I never knew existed. Today, I want to share three personal stories—each a leap into the unknown—that taught me the transformative power of stepping out of my comfort zone and into the perceived ‘abyss’. 

Embracing the Spotlight: My High School Theater Journey

Back in high school, I wasn’t the type of person who desired the spotlight or aspired to be the class clown. But something about the idea of acting intrigued me—a part of me wanted to uncover hidden layers of creativity and self-expression. What was it like to be in someone else’s head? How would I react to characters and scenes that weren’t part of my actual daily life? At fifteen years old, I signed up for theater classes, even though the thought of performing on stage was nothing short of terrifying.

In these classes, I learned to get into character, to embody different personalities through method acting, and to open up in ways I’d never dared before. One moment, in particular, stands out: a scene where I had to physically attack a fellow actor on stage, followed by an emotionally charged breakdown that left me in tears—all in front of an audience of 3,000 high school mates
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That performance, as nerve-wracking as it was, became a turning point in my life. It taught me that vulnerability is not a weakness but a source of strength. The fear of public speaking that once paralyzed me gradually melted away, replaced by confidence and an understanding that authenticity can connect people in powerful ways. It wasn’t just about acting; it was about embracing every part of myself, even those that were raw and unrefined.

Audioblog 1 – Initial Reaction:

You know the feeling just before getting ready to jump out of a plane...

Hitting the Open Road: Rediscovering Life Through Motorcycling

Motorcycles have been a part of my life since I was 12. As a kid, riding through sand dunes and mountain trails demanded all of my focus, washing away all of my worries. But life took me in different directions, and for about 20 years, the sputtering of engines and the grinding of gears was a distant memory.

Recently, I decided to reconnect with that part of my soul by getting back on a bike. What began as leisurely rides quickly evolved into something far more challenging and transformative.

After reintroducing myself to motorcycling, I set my sights on a challenge that terrified me: an advanced ride that required off-road certification from the BMW Riding Academy.

The thought of navigating rugged terrains and unpredictable weather conditions pushed me to confront my doubts and fears.

I committed to the necessary training and, soon enough, embarked on a 2,700-mile journey from Mexico to Canada through the breathtaking, yet demanding, Rocky Mountains. The ride was grueling—ten days of continuous travel, camping in the wilderness, and relying on my instincts and training to navigate the trails.

That journey wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was a profound lesson in resilience, teamwork, and the art of living fully in the moment.

The intense concentration needed to maneuver through treacherous paths at speed translated into my everyday life, teaching me the value of presence and mindfulness.

I could not afford to be anything but 100% in the moment during that journey. I now incorporate meditation into my daily routine, a practice that owes its depth to the clarity I found during those long, winding roads.

Facing the fear of the unknown on a motorcycle not only reconnected me with an old passion but also revealed that the limits I once perceived were often just stepping stones to discovering what I’m truly capable of.

Audioblog 2 –  The Dilemma and Decision:

Hunter S. Thompson famously said, “Buy the ticket, take the ride..."

Crafting a Creative Identity: Painting Miniatures and the Power of Public Display

The global pandemic forced many of us to redefine our daily lives and explore new outlets for creativity. For me, that outletbecame miniature kitbashing and painting (e.g. Warhammer, IYKYK)—a hobby that allowed me to channel my creativity and work with my hands in a deeply personal way. What began as a quiet, introspective activitysoon evolved into a passion that demanded more of me than I ever expected.

At a point when I felt the pull to push my creative boundaries further, I set two personal goals that terrified me: launching a YouTube channel to showcase my painting projects and entering my work into a global painting competition. The mere thought of putting my creative process on display, vulnerable to the scrutiny of a public audience, was daunting. However, I believed that if I didn’t take the leap, I would forever be confined to a safe, albeit limited, creative space.

I threw myself into the challenge. Over the next six months, I produced 15 in-depth painting projects, each video intended to be a reflection of my journey of self-expression. The process wasn’t smooth—there were moments of self-doubt, anxiety over public feedback, and the pressure to continuously improve. But with each new project, I found that my initial fears gradually gave way to excitement and confidence to keep pushing my skils. Winning my first amateur painting competition was not only a validation of my artistic skills but also a powerful affirmation that showing up authentically, with all my imperfections, resonated with people.

This creative endeavor redefined my professional identity. It bridged the gap between my personal passions and my public persona, allowing me to present a more holistic version of myself to the world. I learned that the act of sharing one’s journey, with all its messiness and brilliance, can inspire others to take their own leaps of faith. And while the social media world we live in can be highly toxic, there is always a group of people out there appreciative of genuine effort and humble creative expression.

The Transformative Benefits of Facing Your Fears

Each of these experiences—whether it was stepping into the spotlight on a high school stage, reviving an old love for motorcycling under challenging conditions, or unveiling my creative self to the world—has taught me invaluable lessons about fear, growth, and transformation. Here are three key takeaways that I hope can help anyone facing a daunting decision:

Embrace Vulnerability:

• It might seem counterintuitive, but showing your true self, even when it feels risky, creates genuine connections. Whether on stage or online, vulnerability builds bridges, fosters empathy, and ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of yourself and others. It also tends to identify those that care about you and want to see you succeed from those who don’t. 
  
  

Push Beyond Your Comfort Zone:

• Growth happens when you step outside what feels safe. Every time you face a fear—be it a challenging ride or a creative project—you’re expanding your capabilities and discovering new strengths. The unknown can be terrifying, but it’s also the birthplace of opportunity.

Learn and Grow:

• Every challenging experience, no matter how uncomfortable, is a learning opportunity. Reflect on what each moment taught you, whether it was the discipline required on a long motorcycle journey or the perseverance needed to succeed in a public creative venture. These lessons, when integrated into your life, build a resilient, adaptable mindset that prepares you for future challenges.

Audio 3 –Final Reflection and Practical Tips :

Once you’ve achieved something you didn’t think possible

Bringing It All Together

Reflecting on these stories, it’s clear to me that the moments when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and brave can be some of the most defining in our careers and lives. The hesitations and doubts we face before making a big leap are natural, but they often signal that something truly transformative is on the horizon.

For anyone reading this and grappling with a tough decision—whether it’s a career move, a personal project, or stepping into the unknown—remember that growth and fulfillment often lie on the other side of fear. The risks might be daunting, but the rewards, as I’ve learned, can be life-changing. Each step outside your comfort zone is a step toward discovering who you really are and what you’re capable of achieving.

Do things that terrify you. ;)

¿Quieres conocer más de la experiencia de Charles? Únete a este evento virtual con él 

El próximo 29 de abril, Charles Hayes participará en un gran evento virtual junto a dos líderes en diseño. A partir de sus experiencias, compartirán cómo generar impacto en el negocio a través del diseño, un enfoque que los ha llevado a crear un nuevo programa especializado en Colectivo23.

Registrarte es muy fácil: solo tienes que dejar tu correo en el formulario de la parte superior.

¡Nos vemos en el evento!