Lead with Courage

The word courage comes from the root word “couer” or heart in French. Heart is essential to leadership and having a heart is necessary to leadership that is imbued with compassion not just passion.

My key point is that you- like anyone who chooses to stand for something that is more than your own self- interest- requires kindness. Kindness is not maudlin nor feelings- run- wild. Kindness is an active state of care imbued by a concern for the best in each person. Kindness demonstrates recognition that people are capable and can be actors in their own life in contrast to being at the mercy or victims of whatever bedevils them.

We are noble beings who were born to be courageous in our lives and life work.

How does one develop courage if it is not in evidence today? A good place to start is with any conversation that you have been avoiding for the sake of fear.

Open your mouth; speak what is true to you. Resist the temptation to hold back for the thousand reasons that you already know. The truth is relative- it is yours and it has relevance to you because it is yours.

I cannot be true and brave without courage to speak the words that I hold back. I cannot find my nobility of purpose without braving the resistance and disagreement of others who have their own truth.

My saying what is true for me does not mean another person is persuaded to think or feel differently. It is simply a good, wholesome and healthy thing for me as I develop more heart.

A skill that helps in speaking your truth is preparation. Take 20 minutes to think through what you want to say. Ask yourself what is the essence of the most critical item that you want to insure is communicated and that you intend to have understood?