We find ourselves in a sphere of enormous change. Actually, this change might be labeled a national defining moment. Defining moments require us to stop and reflect before stepping up to claim our everyday courage. Before taking that critical first step, like the archer trying to hit a bull’s-eye, it is important to pause and ask a Socratic questions: How
Last time I wrote that hitting the bull’s-eye means being on target. The term came from seventeenth-century English longbow yeomen in small hamlets. After church services they immediately held archery practice since this was the only time when many of the archers could gather. A common target was the white skull of a bull, and the aim was to hit
Webster’s Dictionary defines courage as mental or moral strength; however, courage comes from the Old French word corage, meaning heart and spirit. So it has little to do with society’s label of physical bravado or heroic acts much less split-second decisions. Courage is something that originates within you, at the core of your being. Awareness of this untapped reservoir of
Courage paradoxes permeate the workplace, making it difficult to distinguish “team” courage (an independent thinker who also contributes to the team and a team player who does not bend under pressure, for example). When an individual commits to a courage leadership environment that includes the twelve courage actions I have researched, team courage prevails such as tackling the tough project
Ask yourself: “Why would I want to exhibit the efficiency that courage leadership enables?” You will discover that there is an direct correlation between your “courage quotient” and your “success quotient.” When you begin to live in the present you can recognize when you are selling your soul. For example, people assume that finding a new job will be difficult,
Courage Research My research demonstrates that different people define courage differently. Your definition of courage defines who you are! Based on my first five years of courage research, I identified twelve behaviors of courage, including living your convictions, manifesting vision, affirming strength and determination and conquering fear. Now, with almost thirteen years of research I extracted twelve obstacles that impede
“Courage can’t see around corners, but goes around them anyway.” ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic’s Notebook, 1960 Everyone can learn to practice courage regardless of career or position. It does not matter if you are a sales associate, graphic designer, project manager, photographer, accountant, administrative assistant, CEO, entrepreneur, journalist, construction worker, electrician, mechanic or stockbroker, you can learn to manifest courage
Courage evolves through openly inviting and boldly seeking its cultivation (“Genius in Gray Areas”). Organizations that focus on the value of continual learning commit and recommit themselves to their imageworkforce to form productive and accountable relationships. Identifying setbacks provides one opportunity to identify patterns along with honoring each stage of courage recognition. Start to monitor your organization’s recognition of the
Most often, everyday courage is comingled with heroism, and that is an egoic trap! How can everyday true courage apply in the workplace today when the work environment is riddled with uncomfortable and challenging issues? In the midst of all the required tasks plus last minute scrambles, how can the designated learning officer of your organization flush out individual courage
It is not only the most difficult thing to know oneself, but the most inconvenient one, too. — H. W. Shaw MOST PEOPLE HAVE differing opinions about who has courage and how they acquire it. Is it learned or innate? Do you maneuver in and out depending on the circumstance at stake, or can you keep advancing your level of