This week Kristian talks about courage, looking at what it means in a business sense and how to develop it.

“I LEARNED THAT COURAGE WAS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR, BUT THE TRIUMPH OVER IT. THE BRAVE MAN IS NOT HE WHO DOES NOT FEEL AFRAID, BUT HE WHO CONQUERS THAT FEAR.”

Developing Business Courage: A Leader’s Guide to Better Decision-Making

In the fast-paced world of business, courage isn’t just about being fearless—it’s about taking calculated risks and making bold decisions despite fear. The Oxford Dictionary defines courage as both “the ability to do something that frightens one” and “strength in the face of pain or grief.” But how can business leaders develop and harness this essential quality?

Understanding the Psychology of Courage

Courage manifests through six key psychological attributes, each offering valuable insights for business leaders:

1. Feeling Fear Yet Choosing to Act As Nelson Mandela wisely noted, “Courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
2. Following Your Heart Steve Jobs emphasised this in his famous Stanford speech: “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
3. Persevering in the Face of Adversity Ralph Waldo Emerson captured this perfectly: “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.”
4. Standing Up for What Is Right As Lao Zi, the Chinese philosopher, simply stated: “From caring comes courage.”
5. Expanding Your Horizons Lord Chesterfield reminds us: “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
6. Facing Suffering with Dignity Aristotle observed: “The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances.”

The Six-Step Process for Developing Business Courage

Success in business requires more than spontaneous acts of bravery. Here’s a practical process for developing business courage and making better decisions:

1. Setting Clear Goals Define exactly what you want to achieve and why it matters.
2. Determining Achievement Importance Evaluate the significance of your desired outcome and its impact on your business.
3. Tipping the Power Balance Identify ways to strengthen your position and leverage your advantages.
4. Understanding Risk and Reward Carefully assess potential outcomes and their implications.
5. Setting Action Timing Determine the optimal moment to act and establish clear timelines.
6. Creating Contingency Plans Prepare for various scenarios to ensure you can handle unexpected challenges.

The Trust Factor in Business Courage

One common characteristic among courageous leaders is trust. When you know others would do the same for you, taking bold action becomes easier. Trust serves as the root motivator behind courage, bravery, and valor in business relationships.

The Role of Persistence and Fear

Persistence

Success in business requires maintaining courage through challenges. Entrepreneurs and business owners know that perseverance through hardship is essential for building both resilience and courage.

Fear’s Positive Function

Contrary to popular belief, fear plays a vital role in courageous decision-making. The absence of fear can lead to:

• Poor decision-making
• Unnecessary risks
• Uncalculated choices

Fear’s unpleasant feelings can actually become drivers that help you:

• Resist impulsive responses
• Face challenging situations thoughtfully
• Make more measured decisions

Developing Courage Through Practice

As Aristotle believed, individuals develop courage by performing courageous acts. It’s a moral habit strengthened through practice. This means:

• Taking progressive steps outside your comfort zone
• Learning from each challenge
• Building on past experiences
• Growing stronger with each obstacle overcome

Practical Applications for Business Leaders

To develop business courage effectively:

• Start with smaller challenges to build confidence
• Use the six-step process for important decisions
• Seek outside perspectives when needed
• Learn from both successes and failures
• Build trust-based relationships
• Maintain a balance between boldness and caution

The Path Forward

Developing business courage is an ongoing journey. Each challenge presents an opportunity to strengthen this vital skill. Remember that courage in business isn’t about being fearless—it’s about making calculated decisions despite fear, supported by careful preparation and clear processes.

The most successful leaders teach themselves to make higher-risk decisions over time, building their courage muscle through practice and persistence. By following this structured approach to developing business courage, you can make better decisions and lead your organisation with greater confidence and effectiveness.

As always,

Live with purpose.