Seeking Courage? It’s in All of Us Right Now

Remember the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz? He didn’t believe he could be brave and was seeking the Wizard to find courage. And he ultimately found out, it was inside of him all the time. That is true for everyone. Even though it doesn’t seem like it. If someone tells you they are always brave and are never scared, they are not being truthful. We all have fears. We all have insecurities and concerns about whether we are brave enough to face a daunting challenge. I have heard Michael Hyatt say this many times: “we have survived 100% of the challenges we’ve faced to this point.” Without overthinking that, it is true.

So, how can we feel more courageous in those moments that can seem like they will overwhelm us? These do not need to be big things, either. Some of the hardest things we face seem simple on the surface. Having a difficult conversation can be very scary. Trying something new is scary. The fear of failure is real. But each of these represents opportunities for growth and development. The tips below can help you find the courage within to tackle any new situation you face.

1. Don’t assume…ask

Fear is often driven by assumptions. We wonder what someone else is thinking. Start by asking yourself how you would react if the situation was turned opposite. In most situations, you would likely say, “if you didn’t know, just ask me.” It works in all directions. Stop making assumptions (usually for the worse) and just ask the question. You’ll find that it works out better than expected every time.

2. Be curious and explore new things

We’ve all heard the saying “curiosity killed the cat,” but it’s time to challenge that myth. In fact, if someone had used tip number one above, they may have found out it wasn’t true. 😀 Exploring new ideas and areas is how we grow. Would any of us have learned to walk if we weren’t curious as a small child? While I am no longer curious what might happen if I jump off the roof, I do want to avoid holding myself back from visiting new places or meeting new people. Stay curious.

3. Stick to the facts

Emotions can get the best of us. It can create artificial walls that prevent others from asking questions, or prevent us from being able to connect in new ways. If you stick to the facts, it can set aside personal elements that may make it harder for you or others to discuss the situation objectively. Facts are facts, use them to create dialogue or make decisions that everyone can be a part of.

4. It's OK to be uncomfortable

Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. We all face challenges. We all have doubts. No one expects any leader to always be perfectly comfortable in everything they do or situation they face. It is even okay to acknowledge those fears and concerns (see below). Remember, everyone faces these situations. You are not alone. Experience will help in being able to work through those feelings of discomfort and even turn them into energy that will push you forward.

5. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness

Share your authentic self, even when you have concerns. Journey together and face the challenges head on. You do not need to take on everything by yourself. Read (or watch) anything from Brene Brown and begin to understand the power of vulnerability. It will create connections you never knew possible. And from those connections, new strengths to face current and future challenges will emerge.

6. Face the brutal truths, be honest with yourself (and others)

Don’t downplay the situations, challenges, or fears you may face. Instead, state them factually, honestly, and objectively. Understand what must happen, and you will be in a much better place to tackle those obstacles. Creating a false narrative to try to make you or other feel better about a tough moment doesn’t help. It can make you seem out of touch or ill-equipped to carry on. Jim Collins expands on facing the brutal truth in Good to Great, and it is a critical lesson that comes from that book for any leader. Honesty (with yourself first, and also with others) is always the best policy.

There will never be a perfect playbook for every situation you face. There will be new experiences and challenges that we all come upon that we will be afraid of. There will be hard tasks to complete, but we can (and will) get through them. These tips merely scratch the surface of the complexity of finding bravery and courage, but never forget everything you need to do so is already inside you. No yellow brick road or Wizard required.

How do you face fear and find your courage in tough situations?

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