4 Steps to Becoming a More Courageous Leader

Have you ever left a meeting or a conversation and kicked yourself for not speaking up?

Have you ever regretted not taking immediate action due to fear?

Have you ever wondered how you would respond when faced with a life event that called for courage?

While I tend to have a more dominant personality (at least that is what the temperament assessment says 😊), I, too, can think of times when I should have taken greater risks or acted more decisively. We are not alone. Most of us live in a world of “second-guessing” where we question ourselves after the opportunity has passed. The good news is that we can grow our courage by taking the right steps. Here are 4 steps to start growing your courage as a leader.

1. Find something worthy of your courage.

The flooding in July that devastated the Texas Hill Country near San Antonio captured the attention of our country. The unimaginable amount of water destroyed everything in its path, including at least two camps for children. But as is often the case in the midst of disaster, heroes emerged. Many men, women, teens, and children showed inspiring courage while risking their own lives – from the owner of a Christian camp who lost his life trying to save children, to two teen camp counselors who suppressed their fear and moved their young campers into the rafters of their cabin, saving many lives.

To understand courage, it is important that we understand our values – the things that are more important than our careers or even our lives. Often, fearlessness begins with moral courage. What are those things that are so important to you, to your moral compass, that you would take great risks to defend them? After all, we are most likely to stand up for what we value most.

2. Be inspired by others.

In the early years of the American Civil War, President Lincoln, among other leaders in the Union government, was growing frustrated with General-in-Chief George McClellan. General McClellan had been instructed multiple times to take offensive action against the rebel troops, but he mostly just delayed, using one excuse after another. Meanwhile, General Ulysses S. Grant took action because he believed action was needed NOW. To delay would be damaging.

When a leader takes courageous action, others are more prone to follow. Thousands of men followed Grant, which resulted in important victories toward the eventual success of retaining the Union and defeating slavery. We see something similar in the Old Testament story of Joshua, who rallied his community with both his actions and his words. He said, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Doesn’t reading these examples from history make you want to be more courageous? So, be inspired by others and seek to inspire others.

3. Grow your courage by walking alongside someone

Most of us have had a medical procedure or two in our lifetime. Repair of a broken bone. Treatment of cancer. Cataract removal. Or my most recent experience – a dental root canal. I was fascinated by all of the detailed and very technical steps that were involved in this procedure (and also shocked by the bill).

How do these oral surgeons learn to do such sensitive, and what could become dangerous, procedures? The answer: they walk alongside someone who has both experience and confidence. First, they watch the expert who has proven experience. Then, they assist the expert. Next, they do even more while the expert watches and assists them. And eventually, they are able to do it on their own. The more successful procedures they complete, the more their courage grows. So, if you want to grow your courage in a particular area, walk alongside someone who has the confidence and experience you seek.

4. Adopt a mindset that doesn’t allow setbacks to result in stop-outs.

Those who study high-performing leaders call this a “growth mindset.” Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck said, “We now have a workforce full of people who need constant reassurance and can’t take criticism. Not a recipe for success in business, where taking on challenges, showing persistence, and admitting and correcting mistakes are essential.”  

When a gymnast falls off the balance beam, they must either shake off the fear and embarrassment and get back up to try again or – quit taking risks. When a person decides to launch a new business and it doesn’t go as well as they had expected, they must either seek to learn, make corrections, and try again – or quit taking risks as they settle into the mindset of a quitter. A person’s mindset is often what prevents them from becoming stuck in a doom loop that results in quitting. Courage begins in the way we think.

If you would like to learn more about how individual coaching can help you grow into a more courageous leader, contact us to speak with one of our experienced coaches.

Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.