Do you have courage? Do you have to climb the highest peak of Kilimanjaro or fly around the globe in a hot air balloon to be courageous? Do you have to face down an angry bear, or save someone from a burning building? These are extraordinary acts of courage that most people will not have the aspiration, or opportunity, to conquer.
What we all do have though, is a heart, which is the root of all courage. Courage comes from the Latin root cor, which means heart. When your heart is filled with compassion, sincerity, openess, respect and confidence, you possess all that you need to be courageous. Anxiety, self limiting beliefs, self-indulgence, righteousness, and regret are inhibiting your expression of courage.
In a world ruled by self-indulgence and self-aggrandizement, everyone requires courage more than ever. We also want courageous leadership.Individuals inspired to lead from the heart and to rely on strong, positive values and principles to make decisions that influence nations and corporations, as well as communities and families.
Leadership is really what courage is all about. It means leading and acting from within. Being true to yourself and not conforming to the expectations of others. We all need more courage in our lives. At work and at home we need the courage to do what is right, even if it means personal sacrifice.
When you refuse to sign off on a dubious expense claim, when you insist on full disclosure before recommending a wage package, when you insist on a full audit of your accounting and financial control systems, you are being courageous. These and many activities just like them occur every day. It just takes awareness to see them for the bold acts that they are.
If you begin to act with more courage and conviction, following your courageous heart, you will meet today’s challenges from a place that is real and authentic.This is the basis for true personal accomplishment and professional success. It also sets off a positive cycle of courage. Other people admire courage and are more likely to emulate it when they see it in action every day.
Things to start doing right now to foster your personal sense of courage include:
- When faced with a decision or problem, search your inner core for answers.
- Analyze each situation using your core set of values and principles as your decision criteria.
- Ask yourself, “Is this the right thing to do, or the easy thing to do?” Choose to do the right thing.
- Prepare yourself for less courageous responses to your actions and decisions. Hold onto your convictions despite negative reactions or sacrifices.
Being courageous is not always easy. If it were, doing the right thing would not even have to be defined. Unfortunately our society is not yet at that point, but through your individual courage you will emerge as a leader. The kind of leader we need more of. Hold fast to your values and principles and remember that you don’t have to be a superhero to live a life of courage. Simply follow your heart and be true to yourself.
