Courage is Leadership

There are several types of courage:

There is physical courage where one risks injury or death.

There is emotional courage where on risks rejection

There is business courage where one risks loss

There is artistic courage where one risks judgment

There is athletic courage where one risks humiliation

There is even the courage to say no

And I am sure there are more.

What is courage? It is the confidence to push your personal limits. It is leaving the area of predictability for the realm of uncertainty. Sometimes it is flying on the trapeze without a net.

What are a few good paths that support the leap and the act of courage? I have always found that increasing physical fitness runs a close mental parallel to venturing into unknown arenas.

If you are a soldier or athlete, increasing physical fitness is a requirement because not only must you be fit to excel, you must be confident in your physical abilities.

I find this same confidence leads to increased self esteem. It leads to personal power in the physical realm. It is a reflection of your discipline.

Increasing discipline is also important for increasing courage and runs hand in hand with increasing physical conditioning.

It shows you can mentally push yourself to new levels of achievement. Discipline shows that you can deny yourself things that are detrimental which is another mental achievement. Discipline proves you can focus on a target and achieve short term goals.

Physical fitness and discipline allow you small victories which are on the path to greater victories. Courage is the willingness to step into the unknown and these smaller victories build steps of faith. .

Physical fitness, discipline and courage work together. They hone a mental attitude. A marine or an athlete are prepared in many ways to achieve victory.  We have to be prepared mentally, but being prepared physically can help even with non physical feats.

Believing in our capabilities and being willing to demonstrate them is leadership. It first of all is personal leadership. If you cannot rule yourself, you cannot expect others to follow.

It creates a confidence that is noticeable to others. People are drawn to confidence. It gives them faith that following you is a good decision and gives them confidence in a positive outcome.

Being physically and mentally prepared gives you the confidence to take on the responsibility that leadership requires. An apt slogan for leadership is the “buck” stops here. You have to have the fortitude to accept criticism and the willingness to take someone into new territory.

In real estate, as a manager, I had difficulty getting new sales people to take listings on homes because they did not want the responsibility of perhaps failing and then getting scorned by the owners.

Achievement and leadership build on themselves. Each step you take gives you the confidence to take another step.

Brought to you by The Foundation for Personal Leadership