The power of courage in leadership and how to develop yours

In leadership positions, where decisions can carry monumental consequences and challenges seem to lurk around every corner, courage emerges as a critical character attribute that differentiates those who wish they were leaders from those who are leaders.

Courage is a quality that transcends all others, empowering leaders to face adversity with tenacity and confidently lead themselves and their teams. But why is courage so vital in leadership? This week, I explore the profound significance of courage in leadership, breaking down some of its facets and uncovering why it stands as a cornerstone of effective leadership. I also offer some thoughts on how to practice and build courage.

Before discussing the importance of courage in leadership, I want to define my take on courage and the mantra that has helped me. Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to act in the face of fear or adversity. It is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It is the audacity to take calculated risks, confront uncomfortable truths, and make decisions when the outcome is uncertain. Courage is not recklessness but a well-considered, purposeful action in the face of challenges.

So, let me start with why courage is a critical character trait for an effective leader. Here are some thoughts.

Setting an example

I know. I keep coming back to this. And it is because it is a crucial component of leadership. As a leader, you set the tone and lead by example. You might have encountered “leaders” who ask you to do the hard stuff but are unprepared to do it themselves. Perhaps to fire an employee, give “constructive feedback”, front up to an angry client or any other unpleasant task, but they are not prepared to do that themselves. How much respect do you have for them?

It is the same with courage. Leaders are seen as role models within organisations. Their actions, values, and decisions set the standard for others to follow. Courageous leaders inspire those around them with their fearless pursuit of what is right, even when difficult. When a leader faces a challenging situation head-on, it encourages team members to do the same. Courage has a domino effect, fostering a culture of fearlessness and encouraging innovation. One must step out of the comfort zone to be innovative!

Embracing innovation

Courageous leaders are more inclined to embrace innovation and change. They are willing to challenge the status quo, often leading to transformation and progress (assuming their leaders are also courageous if in a hierarchical organisation). In a rapidly evolving world, adapting and embracing change is essential for any organisation’s survival and a leader’s effectiveness.

Building trust

Trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Without trust, a leader’s influence wanes, and their ability to lead diminishes. Courage plays a pivotal role in building and maintaining trust. Courageous leaders are seen as authentic and honest because they are willing to speak the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. This authenticity builds trust because team members know their leader will be honest and work to have their team’s interests at heart.

Making tough decisions

Leaders know this is a critical skill. Leaders often find themselves in situations where decisions must be made, even when the outcome is uncertain. It is during these pivotal moments that courage becomes a non-negotiable attribute. Leaders must summon the courage to make the tough calls. Whether to restructure a company, invest in a risky venture, or enter new markets.

A leader’s ability to make complex decisions shapes the course of their organisation and establishes trust and credibility. When team members see their leader display courage in the face of adversity, it fosters confidence in their leadership. Making decisions also builds your courage “muscle” and gives you the confidence to continue. We learn by deciding and then doing.

Overcoming fear of failure

Fear of failure is common for many leaders. However, courageous leaders understand that failure is not a destination but a stepping stone to success. The fear of making mistakes does not paralyse them. Instead, they view failures as valuable learning experiences that can lead to innovation and improvement. Here, language is essential, and how we frame the outcome profoundly impacts our mindset. So, reframing “failure” as learning is critical.

Encouraging accountability

Courageous leaders are not only willing to take responsibility for their actions but also to hold others accountable. Leaders foster a culture of accountability within their teams, where individuals are responsible for their tasks and outcomes. Accountability increases efficiency and productivity as team members take ownership of their work. The willingness of the leader to have a courageous conversation with their team about accountability, standards and expectations sets the clarity that teams and organisations need to execute effectively.

Handling uncomfortable conversations

Courageous leaders are unafraid to have uncomfortable conversations. Whether addressing poor performance, resolving conflicts, or giving constructive feedback, they approach these discussions with empathy and honesty. This willingness to confront difficult issues head-on can prevent issues from escalating into more significant problems. In addition, open and honest communication fosters a culture of transparency and trust within the organisation. Team members know their leader is approachable and willing to address concerns, which can improve morale and teamwork.

Promoting inclusivity and diversity

Courageous leaders recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion. They are unafraid to challenge bias and discrimination, even when deeply ingrained in an organisation’s culture. Promoting inclusivity requires courage because it often means confronting uncomfortable truths, challenging the status quote and taking active steps to rectify.

Navigating through crisis

In the tumultuous world of business and leadership, crises are inevitable. Leaders must navigate with unwavering courage, whether it is a global conflict, an economic downturn, a public relations disaster, or sudden industry disruption. They must be calm in the chaos, providing direction and reassurance to their teams while remaining authentic to their feelings. And all that requires courage.

So, how might one go about developing courage? Here are some things to consider:

Self-reflection: assess your fears and areas where you may lack courage. Identifying what holds you back is the first step in addressing it.

Set goals: define specific goals related to building the courage muscle. The goals could be small, actionable steps that gradually expose you to situations that require courage or make you uncomfortable. For example, taking on new responsibilities, public speaking, giving an employee feedback or engaging in difficult conversations with your leadership team. Pick one goal and work on it. Learn from it. Then pick another goal.

Practice self-compassion: be kind to yourself. Understand that courage does not mean you will never feel fear; it means acting despite that fear. Do not be too hard on yourself when facing difficult situations where you cannot be as courageous as you may want. Reflect, learn and adjust for the next time. 

Ask for help: share your challenges and goals with a mentor, coach, or trusted friend. They can provide guidance, support, and encouragement. Courage is not solely an internal trait; it can be nurtured and encouraged through various external influences and relationships. Many people have trodden the path before you. What were their strategies, and how did they develop their courage?

Develop resilience: resilience is closely linked to courage. Learn how to bounce back from setbacks and failures, viewing them as opportunities for growth. You might wish to read this blog post about learning to be resilient.

Cultivate emotional intelligence: it is easier to be courageous when you can navigate emotions skillfully. And understanding your emotions and those of others can help you manage difficult situations more effectively. This means you need to get in touch with your emotions, know what they are, how to label them and have strategies to deal with them when they arise.

Visualise success: this is genuinely underrated despite all the research about visualisation. Use visualisation techniques to imagine yourself successfully handling challenging situations.

Positive self-talk: get in touch with your inner critic and replace negative self-talk with positive examples of when you were courageous. Remind yourself of your strengths and past achievements. Make your achievements visible where you can see them or refer to them often.

Celebrate your courageous acts: I believe in the power of celebration. Acknowledge and celebrate your courageous actions and decisions, no matter how small they may seem. This positive reinforcement can boost your confidence. Check out this blog post on the importance of celebrating for leaders.

Seek feedback: Solicit feedback from your team, peers and trusted advisors. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas where your courage can be better applied. Additionally, people around you could spot your courage even in places where you might not realise it. Their recognition can help you see just how courageous you truly are.

Stay committed: building courage is an ongoing process. Stay committed to your personal growth and the development of this essential leadership trait. Read books, watch TED talks, talk to others and see how they go about it. Whatever it takes. Stay committed to building this trait. Courage and confidence go hand in hand; they are developed through action.

Final thoughts

Remember that developing courage is a journey, and progress may not always be linear. It is normal to encounter setbacks and moments of self-doubt, but you can become a more courageous leader with persistence and practice. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to act despite fear, which can be cultivated over time and at any time in your leadership journey.

Courage is the lifeblood of leadership. It empowers leaders to inspire, grow, and protect their teams and organisations. In a world where uncertainty and adversity are constant companions, courageous leaders are the ones who rise above the challenges, bringing their teams along with them. Leaders who understand the profound impact of courage on themselves and others do all they can to develop courage and live it and encourage others in their teams to build it and live it.

As always, if you invest in yourself, the rewards will be unfathomable.

Until next time.