Why courage is the definition of great leadership – leadership skills

Whenever I hear the word Courage, I think of a scene in Lord of Rings where Eowyn says to Pippin “Courage Merry, Courage for our Friends” just before launching into a massive battle, with swords and horses. And while our post is not about fighting in such a battle, courage is absolutely a quality and skill that defines leadership everywhere.

Let’s see why.

What courage are talking about?

Leadership has many faces, and leaders who are at the front of a literal battlefield are some of the most prominent examples of it.

However, let’s start with a bit safer environment – the office and a workplace.

There are many faces of courage when you are a team leader.

It’s exhibited in your perseverance in the face of obstacles big and small. You can see it and feel it when a leader sticks to their values.

You show it when you don’t shy away from a difficult conversation or situation. Or when you know that you may need to compromise on a plan to protect something else, or someone.

Courage in leadership quite often doesn’t get branded as courage. You will probably hear about someone having ‘the guts’, ‘the spine’, about someone being persistent or authentic.

I like to think about courage in the space of standing your ground, speaking up although your knees or voice are shaking, and knowing when to stand down to save the energy and team for a long term endeavour.

How to be a courageous leader

That’s a big question, isn’t it?

If I asked you to think about a courageous leader, who comes to your mind? Why would you say that they have exhibited courage?

Courage is potentially one of the most difficult to attain qualities. I don’t think it matters whether you are an experienced leader or just starting out as one. Difficult but not impossible to attain.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

And the good news is your courage shows in many actions and decisions, no matter how small or big they are. So, what do I mean by that? Here are a few examples:

• It’s in explaining clearly, without heated emotions, but with supporting data, your approach to a problem and solution to senior leaders, while the approach may be a little unconventional; and bonus, gaining their green light to proceed to the presented unconventional approach.
• When you support your team member because you know them well while others doubt the person.
• It’s when you book a call with a senior leader to talk about something that they have done or said, and you know the conversation is not going to be pleasant nor straightforward. Still, you know you need to have it.
• When you decide to walk away from an idea – or workplace – because it doesn’t align with your values, despite e.g. liking the team you’re working with.

What all of the above examples have in common is that you need to know yourself, your values, and what you stand for, and you use this foundation as the northern star for your actions, decisions and choices.

And so courage really starts with discovering and knowing yourself.

Admittedly, this is a deep topic, but I’d argue one that needs to be explored if your aim is to be better and better leader.

How do you understand courage in leadership? Let me know in the comments!

Feature image by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash