In a search for great examples of leadership in movies, war, battles, and conflict feature heavily as does the call for courage. Undoubtedly we can all associate with the challenges of courage in a conflict situation especially one involving physical life and death.
Reflecting on what we mean by courage in leadership can often take us into the need to stand up for something that’s unpopular or against the grain – an idea, a principle, a direction of travel. There’s a sense of a ‘cause’ or moral or ethical values that often underpin the courage we need to access.
Famous examples include Churchill’s ‘fight them on the Beaches’ leadership speech calling on the valour of a nation, or Lincoln’s abolition of slavery in the face of so much opposition. Courage is engaging in a battle but so often it’s a battle for what’s ‘right’. A battle for what it means to be human and then to access and use our courage – whether in small everyday situations or in the landscape-changing, more overt global sense.
To be able to demonstrate true courage in leadership, we must look to our own moral compass. We must be in relationship with the guiding principles that inform our thoughts and actions. We must stand firm in our own self without becoming isolated or myopic. Our intelligences – intellect, emotional, spiritual – must be fully active.
We have great need for leadership courage at this time in our world. Whether it’s the political, business, or religious arenas…in fact any major area of human endeavour. The courage to sacrifice self-interest in favour of the collective and the greater good. The leadership to listen, engage in true dialogue, and build a coalition for change.
True leadership courage is about standing up, and, standing apart when needed, but always working toward the greater good. It’s daring to inspire with a vision for something better and to commit oneself to the achievement of that. We have so many opportunities to make our world a better place…courageous leadership, centred in and through the heart (coeur) will help us succeed.
