Discover 8 Types of Courage

Movies often feature the brash loud fearlessness of heroic acts. Corporate life rewards a stand out kind of courage.

A narrow definition of courage means we miss the ways our daily lives invite other kinds of courage—the courage to put aside hesitation and lean into a challenge, the courage to speak our truth when survival brain commands us to retreat, the courage to respond with care instead of a bitter retort.

Courage is a decision, and a skill we can develop.

Courage is often outside of our conscious awareness. The awareness of courage, when we or others are courageous, is a crucial skill for skillfully responding, intentionally appreciating others, and consciously leading. Engaging our courage, we communicate, innovate, flow with uncertainties, and overcome obstacles.

Susan Cain, author of Quiet, reminds us that we are braver than we think, when we smile through our shyness or step forward to speak on behalf of others. As Brene Brown writes in her book?The Gifts of Imperfection, “Courage is…a habit, a virtue: You get it by courageous acts. It’s like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by couraging.”

Below are eight types of courage. Some types of courage will be familiar, even part of your core identity; ways you are practiced at pushing past resistance or acting despite fear. Others less so.

As you read, pause, remember courageous times and notice your body sensations to discover more about where and how and if you experience courage.

Eight Types of Courage

1. Physical courage – Feeling fear yet choosing to act. Celebrated as valor, physical strength, a can-do attitude. Risking bodily harm for a greater cause. Acting heroically whether giving birth, summiting a mountain, getting out on the dance floor, or jumping in to save someone from harm.
2. Emotional/somatic courage – Following our heart. Saying no when it’s harder than a yes. Moving from sadness to gratitude. Self-acceptance. Being proud of our effort. Believing we are worthy of love. The courage to be profoundly sad or unconditionally happy.
3. Intellectual or Mind courage – Expanding horizons, letting go of the familiar. Weighing both sides of an issue when you’d rather stick with just one. Telling the truth as we see it. Engaging with challenging ideas. Changing our minds in the face of new evidence and realizations.
4. Social courage – Sharing our gifts. Cultivating good relationships. Acting from the premise that we are interconnected rather than separate. Encouraging the shy, inviting in the stranger, enlivening team spirit. Being enthusiastic! Overcoming a fear of rejection and asking for what we need. Offering compassion.
5. Creative Courage – Creating, innovating, inventing, experimenting. Imagining an original approach. Searching out radical ideas to change traditions. Introducing new methods, systems, or products. Figuring out how to make things work - for everyone.
6. Moral courage – Doing the right thing, standing for the ethical choice. Speaking about what we believe and not just to people who agree. Admitting neuroses, failings, and mistakes. Stretching to help others. Acting from our values and convictions.
7. Spiritual courage – Living a life of meaning and purpose. Changing our lives to honor an inner yes, a deeper calling. Accessing deeper dimensions of wisdom. Attuning to the infinite forces in the universe as part of being human.
8. Soul courage – Viewing our lives as a journey of growth, discovery, and maturation. Embracing disturbance. Completing what needs to end. Transforming suffering into greater awareness. Trusting our nature – our unique genius, artistry, and strengths.

Build Your Courage Muscle

Use these questions to join me in discovering where courage animates your body, your leadership, your life. Notice what you’re feeling and where you feel it; what left you confused or piqued your curiosity.

1. What type of courage are you strongest in? What would you add? What type of courage is new to you?
2. Who are the courageous people you have known? Who shows quiet courage? Who acts boldly??Can you identify people in all eight types of courage?
3. Recall a time when you were courageous. Appreciate your courage. Remember what happened, who else was there, the thoughts that were in your mind.
4. If you had a magic wand, what does courage look like right now for you?
5. What simple, concrete steps will you take in the next 24 hours to make this courage real?

What does courage make possible?

Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own. -Michelle Obama

As I’ve thought about courage, I thought about someone I knew and admired. For fifteen years, our neighbor Kathleen Burgy lived across the street. We talked when our son walked her dog Nacho, on Sundays taking her freshly baked muffins, or stepping in to enjoy her hot cider on Halloween. She was so joyful and incredibly interesting. Yet, we never really knew her.

It turns out in her early twenties, Kathleen joined the American Red Cross and set sail on a troop ship to care for WWII U.S. pilots suffering from war trauma. As part of the United Nations Relief team, she worked in refugee camps with newly liberated concentration camp survivors. In Germany, Korea, and then Yugoslavia she served with the Quakers in camps for displaced, unaccompanied children. Kathleen was truly courageous.

Kathleen’s courage never stopped. Back from the wars, she designed her own cottage, placing her windows to view the fog drifting through redwoods, oak, and bay in the valley below. Many years later, when she moved into the local senior facility, she founded Seniors for Peace so that every Friday, dozens stood, sat, and wheeled themselves to a busy street corner beating drums or clapping with handmade signs for peace.?

It seems to me that, like Kathleen, when we own our courage, we remain more adaptable and on track amidst the variability of our changing world. Our courage motivates others.

Maya Angelou says, “If one has courage, nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”

Each of the 8 types of courage arise from a personal commitment and inform our personal and collective actions.

What does your courage ask you to do? Take a risk? Wait to act? Listen carefully to what is uncomfortable to hear? Engage intimately in a relationship? Communicate honestly without all the answers? Be willing to change?

Just an hour ago, on a hike with my husband, I had an opportunity to use my courage. An acquaintance walked by. We chatted for a bit. She walked on. I told Rick I would like to ask for her number to go for a walk together, but I felt too shy. With his encouragement I spoke up as we passed on the way back…and now I have a walk with her to look forward to. ?

Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision and a skill we can build. Stronger courage muscles, may improve our response to the disconcerting uncertainties of climate change, privacy breaches, and political mayhem. Businesses who call on all 8 types of courage may have a better chance of dealing with complex issues like changing energy sources, or the increasing costs (financially, socially, and environmentally) of raw materials. ?

Together we can do anything. Let’s engage the courage of our hearts to change the narrative, from passively encountering the multiple challenges of our times to actively making things better.

Not just one type of courage is sufficient. The 8 types are a mandala. Start anywhere. Appreciate courage to strengthen the muscle. Affirm courage to increase access.? And, over time, you may start to see courage as one of the keys to a flourishing life.

If you are ready to learn more, our next Courage of the Heart program for women leaders starts April 25th.

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