Courage isn’t a thing we talk about enough in leadership. Having the courage to step up into a people role, having the courage to make decisions that could change the trajectory of your employee’s life or make impact into an organization that could potentially be long lasting. There is a lot of pressure in that that requires an individual to have courage.
There is risk in leadership, however, just as we’ve heard it before – where there is risk, there is reward. Reward for doing a hard thing even when it’s uncomfortable. Reward for committing to ongoing improvement of not only yourself, but the others around you.
I believe a large part of having courage, is also having humility. Effective leaders demonstrate humility by admitting mistakes, valuing others’ contributions, and openly acknowledging personal weaknesses. This type of demeanor creates an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, opinions and ideas.
In a thought leadership paper, The Courage Workout: Acting More Boldly in Work and Life written by Ranjay Gulati, he states “Business professionals are great at analyzing situations and implementing risk management strategies, but uncertainty cannot be totally analyzed away. Instead, it requires a leap of faith into the unknown. That ability to act in spite of our fears is what we call courage.”
Although courage is not an inherent skill for all, when we take time to cultivate this skill it can lead to an increased amount of creativity, innovation and self-actualization.
As a Leadership Development specialist, here are six ways I inspire you to develop the skill of courage.
- Lead by example. By serving as a role model for inclusion, you can inspire others to embrace inclusive leadership practices and foster a culture of belonging and respect.
- Model vulnerability and transparency. When you open up in an authentic way of faults or biases, it signals you value honest, open and transparent conversation
- Actively participate in organizational groups like Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) dedicated to further create a strong sense of belonging.
- Address an old situation a new way. Take time to identify when a pattern or response can be updated to reflect a new version of you. Use this as a way to get comfortable with the uncomfortable in forming new habits.
- Recognize potential resistance to situations. Look for trends and opt into projects that focus on the areas of uncertainty or discomfort. This builds confidence while also reinforcing resilience.
Embracing courage as a skill to be practiced and developed rather than a trait we either have or don’t, we unlock the potential for deeper connection, greater innovation, and more meaningful impact. As leaders, our legacy is not just in the decisions we make, but in the environments we shape. Environments where individuals feel empowered to be bold, to grow, and to lead with heart. Let courage be the quiet force that guides your leadership journey forward.
If you’re interested in cultivating these skills, please reach out to us at PsycharoundtheGlobe@gmail.com
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Dawn Xx
