Courageous Confidence

Simonette Vaja

Being courageous in the midst of fear can build your self-confidence. Embracing courage allows you to see the world from a different perspective. Making courage a part of your life equips you with the ability to empower others to do the same.

Many leadership training programs incorporate outward bound physical activities. Metaphors of climbing the highest mountain, jumping out of a plane, trekking through a tropical jungle. Facing one’s fears and expanding limitations of a fixed mind set.? “If I can jump out of a plane, I can manage to give that presentation in front of the Council members”.

Outward Bound adventure tours offer leadership development coaching that is achieved through physical acts of courage.? These translate into everyday working activities, like managing an investigations team.

Physical fitness is a predictor for self-confidence.? If we are physically strong, we can tend to feel more confident. An example of Women learning self-defense; through martial arts for personal empowerment. ?Confidence is connected to physical strength, as well as having a go at challenging outdoor activities. ?Rock climbing Healthy strong body, fearless in the face of a crowd.

The legal profession is often described as one that demands a unique blend of traits, among which Intelligence and confidence stand out prominently.? Courage is equally important and could be a vital ingredient for Lawyers moving through their careers.

We will explore the differences between courage and confidence and why both are essential for lawyers to excel in their profession. We will also insist that a touch of self-kindness (Self-Compassion) is necessary to support personal and professional growth.

The Role of Fear in Courage

Fear doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t act courageously. It means the stage is set. Every person feels afraid or intimidated by the prospect of doing some things some of the time. ?We need to accept that courage is about taking action despite our fears. Moving outside of our comfort zone, or leaping outside of our comfort zone?

Courage is a fundamental quality for any lawyer. It is the willingness to confront fear, adversity, or ethical dilemmas head-on, often in the pursuit of justice. In the legal world, courage is frequently linked with the following aspects:

1. Taking on Challenging Cases: Lawyers often face cases that are emotionally charged, complex, or unpopular. Having the courage to accept such cases demonstrates a commitment to upholding the principles of justice, even in the face of adversity.
2. Speaking Truth to Power: Lawyers have a duty to advocate for their clients' interests, even when those interests clash with powerful individuals or institutions. Speaking truth to power requires the courage to stand firm in the face of potential backlash.
3. Ethical Dilemmas: Lawyers may encounter ethical dilemmas that require them to make difficult choices. Courage is essential when deciding to report unethical behaviour or take corrective actions, even when it may be uncomfortable or risky.
4. Navigating Hostile Environments: In some cases, lawyers may work in environments where they face hostility or threats due to their representation of certain clients or causes. Courage is crucial to maintaining one's professional integrity under such circumstances.

The Role of Confidence

Confidence is another vital quality for lawyers, but it differs from courage in several ways. While courage often involves facing external challenges, confidence primarily pertains to an individual's self-assuredness and their ability to perform effectively. Here's how confidence plays a significant role in a lawyer's career:

Distinguishing Courage from Confidence

While courage and confidence are distinct qualities, they often work in tandem to create effective lawyers. Here are some key distinctions:

1. Source: Courage typically arises in response to external challenges or adversities, whereas confidence is an internal quality rooted in self-belief.
2. Nature: Courage is about facing fear or adversity, often requiring a leap into the unknown. Confidence is about one's assurance in their abilities and knowledge.
3. Action vs. Mindset: Courage is action-oriented, prompting a lawyer to take on difficult cases or confront ethical dilemmas head-on. Confidence is more about the lawyer's mindset and their belief in their capabilities.

Balancing Courage and Confidence

To excel in their legal careers, lawyers can allow for movement between, acknowledging insecurities, moving towards these activities with courage and this is where confidence grows through experience. Confidence is acquired through courageously meeting the challenges that are faced.? Self-Assessment: Lawyers should regularly evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, identifying areas where they need to exhibit more courage or boost their confidence.

1. Growth Mindset: Confidence often grows from knowledge and experience. Lawyers should engage in lifelong learning to bolster their confidence in their legal expertise.
2. Courageous Self-Reflection: Lawyers should have the courage to self-reflect honestly on their actions and decisions, particularly in morally challenging situations. This self-reflection can lead to personal growth and professional development.
3. A dash of self-compassion for revealing your vulnerability and being a learner, so that you can grow wiser through experiences and boost your emotional intelligence. Self-compassion is a powerful force that supports confidence and integrity by reducing self-criticism, promoting resilience, enhancing self-acceptance, reducing fear of failure, encouraging accountability, balancing self-interest, and ethical behaviour, fostering empathy for others, and reducing defensive behaviour.
4. Collegial support: Seek support from colleagues, mentors, and professional networks. Discussing challenging cases or ethical dilemmas with others can help lawyers gain insights, courage, and confidence.

Courageous confidence:

While courage empowers lawyers to confront external challenges and ethical dilemmas, confidence is nurtured through courageous experiences. ?The more Self-Aware and courageous Lawyers can navigate their careers with integrity, resilience, and effectiveness, ensuring the pursuit of justice and the best interests of their clients and legal profession.

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?Further reading:

Choosing courage: Jim Detert, Ph.D.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/choosing-courage/202106/5-insights-about-being-courageous-work

Simon Sinek – Leaders Eat Last

Michael A West (2021) Compassionate Leadership: Sustaining wisdom

Outward Bound Leadership training programs. https://www.outwardbound.org.au/