Courage is Contagious

Most of us carry a regret or two that we can’t quite shake. Often, these regrets come from missed opportunities where we lacked the courage to act or speak up. Think about the times you stayed silent out of fear of judgment or avoided conflict because it felt too uncomfortable. Maybe you let a chance for change slip by, worrying that your idea was foolish. A friend once shared how she regretted not stepping in when a woman was being harassed. Another friend spoke of an idea she wished she had shared sooner, which could have saved her team endless headaches. My own regret is not intervening when an instructor was bullying a colleague right in front of me.

One Quote and One Book to Read?

The moments we regret are often tied to things that come up unexpectedly when we don’t have time to prepare. We are faced with a “choice” we hadn’t considered in the normal course of life and get caught off guard. Building courage can help us lean into these moments instead of wishing for a “do-over” 10 minutes later.

Building Courage:

Managing fear is a critical part of courage. Yet we can build courage in small ways that better prepare us for those unexpected moments.

• Mental Rehearsals – Brainstorm scenarios that might leave you tongue tied: political or religious differences, giving feedback, removing someone from your team, or confronting unethical behavior. Consider how you might respond in those situations.?How might you word your statements??How can you build your courage??Brainstorm how to act in the moment. Visualize and map out the conversation.
• Watch Others – Research has shown that people will be braver, even though they hadn’t practiced courage themselves, by witnessing it in others.?When someone else is willing to speak up it bolsters the resolve of others. Pay attention to small moments where others find their voice.
• Gradual Practice – Start small. You don’t build your negotiation or public speaking skills in high-stakes situations. Start by sharing your opinion or setting a small personal boundary at a team meeting. Courage is a practice strengthen one conversation at a time.
• Be an Ally - If you don’t want to be the first to speak up, look for ways to support others who do.?This seemingly small act can amplify your bravery and encourage others to continue to share.
• Share Your Values – Knowing our values makes it easier to speak to those values, even if we are unsure of ourselves in the moment.?Stating your values is a great place to start the conversation and it might encourage others to hold you accountable.

These actions are important because they help us find our courage. Consciously thinking about regrets we hold onto and having the courage to hold ourselves accountable to doing something different in the future is key.

The Contagion Effect:

Courage is contagious. Think of the statement “you must see it to be it.” When we see others finding their voice to be true to themselves, it gives us a green light to find our own voice. Each moment of courage might be a defining moment for someone, showing them the possibility of how to avoid a future regret. As Mark Twain said, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear-not absence of fear.”?

What small action can you take today to be courageous to set the example for yourself and for others?