Courage in business is one of the biggest traits required for good leadership.
If you’re in any kind of entrepreneurial role, you need to develop your levels of courage; however, it is not easy. There are many situations that will call for you to make bold, confident decisions that may or may not improve your company’s performance. From taking action on particular issues to leading change in a fear-based environment, courage is, as Winston Churchill once said, “what it takes to sit down and listen”, as well as stand up and speak!
Reap the Rewards of Courage in Business
Are you able and willing to drive plans to completion or help your team to build confidence in the business environment? If you are lacking in these areas, there are some things you ought to learn. Courage in business relies on the ability to communicate openly, take action when performance is diminishing, hold yourself and others accountable when necessary, and of course, give credit to others when it is due.
Understanding these six main attributes of courage is the key to practising good courage in business:
- Choosing to act over the feeling of fear – we all feel fear at times, don’t let that deter you from action
- Staying true to your values and organisational commitments – It’s easy to get swayed by opinions and popular voices in your team. Remember to keep your words and actions anchored in the values you originally determined.
- Persevering when obstacles come your way – endurance and a positive mindset is key in doing this.
- Making a stand for your and others’ rights – this is about making sure that quieter people are heard and valued equally as much as the more loud and forthcoming voices.
- Suffering with faith or dignity – sometimes it’s necessary as a courageous leader to be criticised and condemned for your actions. After all, a leader is often cutting out new and unfamiliar ground that may push people out of their comfort zones.
- Letting go of what is familiar – embracing change and expanding your own comfort zones is equally important.
In order to set a good example to others around you, you must be able to demonstrate how you confront reality head-on. While there will be downsides to adopting a courageous approach, such as delivering bad news to customers/employees/investors, there will also be many upsides.
For example, learning how to change direction within the organisation, expanding the business, developing a stronger brand – the list goes on.
Being a courageous leader can be hugely enriching to your own levels of career satisfaction and self-esteem, as well as to the growth of your organisation and bottom line profits.
Continue to read Part 2 of How to Develop Courage in Business – Six Tips For Being a Courageous Leader.
