The Power of Courage

Hello from the Trail!?This is?ExperienceCraft, a?weekly LinkedIn Newsletter Series?with exclusive insights on customer experience, courageous listening, and outdoor transformation. If you're new, welcome! And if you’re curious about how customer experience can be the strategic differentiator for your company,?subscribe here.?

This weekend, my son wrote an application essay. In an effort to become a school 'ambassador,' he needed to express his opinion on why he was an appropriate candidate, supported by three reasons. A terrific assignment for a 10-year-old, I thought.

His essay emphasized leadership, respect, and helpfulness. He shared how he thanks referees after the game, even if he doesn't agree with their calls. He also described his enjoyment in teaching basketball plays and tutoring in math. Vulnerably, he communicated how he struggles with anger when dealing with hurtful people and how he has drawn inspiration from Michelle Obama's statement, "When they go low, we go high."

Once his essay felt solid, my husband and I told him that he needed to read it aloud. This resulted in a complete meltdown. "I've read it to myself eight times; why should I read it to you? I'm hungry. I need a snack now. Are you going to let me starve? I hate reading. You read it, Mom; it's perfect. Why do I need to read it?"

We emphasized two reasons. First, "You'll catch things when you read aloud that you won't otherwise. You hear us do this all the time." And second, "Because this is important. You're applying for something you care about. Speaking these words ensures they mean something to you."

Once we got through the complaints and the tears, Jesse told me the problem. "I'm not sure I believe in these words. I don't believe in myself."

"I believe in you. These words are powerful. These words are you."

We brought Jesse's older brother into the room and had him read the essay aloud to all of us. Lucas looked Jesse in the eye and told him the essay was very good—and true to exactly who Jesse is.

Another hour passed. Finally, he read it to me, and only me, his voice barely above a whisper. I hugged him afterward. "You did it, Jesse. And did you see how you made a couple of corrections? That's exactly why I do the same with my writing. I love this—you did good."

In that moment, I barely got a smile, but throughout the weekend, he thanked me for making him read it. Whether he becomes a school ambassador or not, he took a big step forward: he conquered himself.

I empathize with Jesse. I've been there too—not believing I'm enough, not being able to say the things that make me worthy, that make me great.

Sadly, when we don't read that essay aloud, we miss out. We never give ourselves the opportunity to achieve greatness.

Early in my career, a manager put me in a meeting that I didn't feel I had earned a place at. I sat in the back and stayed quiet. Afterward, she pulled me aside and asked how it felt. I told her I was intimidated and that I felt unworthy. She told me that I needed to challenge myself. "As uncomfortable as it is," she said, "you need to speak up. In the next meeting, make one statement or ask one question. What's the worst that could happen?"

And so I did. And I didn't die. In fact, others seemed to nod in agreement with what I said, and a senior executive pulled me aside afterward and gave me a compliment.

It wasn't so bad. After that first step, I was able to take another. And another. And eventually, I was leading those same meetings I was once scared to speak at.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.”The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it. If you fail anywhere along the line it will take away your confidence. You must make yourself succeed every time.?You must do the thing you think you cannot do. - Eleanor Roosevelt

When I founded LoyaltyCraft seven years ago, I established a personal mantra for the business: “The Calm Confidence to be Courageous.”

And over the years that’s developed into the company credo: ?

At LoyaltyCraft, we value?curiosity.

We believe in asking?bold questions.

We?listen?to what's said, and what's not said.

We strive for?excellence, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

We do?work that matters.?

We believe in?adventure, in exploring beyond our comfort zones to?carve new paths.?

We bring our?whole selves, our?softly strong presence, and our?gratitude for what is and what is to be.

And talking to my son this weekend about reading his essay brought this credo full circle. It’s about showing up fully. About having the courage to put oneself out there to the world – to ask the question, to listen empathetically, to vulnerably say, this is me, world.

Courage plays an instrumental role in achieving greatness. The ability to take calculated risks, to push the boundaries of what is possible, and to navigate through uncertainty defines the very essence of leadership in today's dynamic landscape. Innovation doesn’t thrive in comfort zones.

How can you instill a culture of courage?

Courage is not just a trait of leaders; it's a collective force that drives innovation, fosters empathy, and propels teams toward greatness. It begins when a 10-year-old boy musters the courage to read his essay aloud, and it continues when leaders challenge themselves to confront uncertainty head-on.

It thrives when we create spaces where authenticity is not just celebrated but expected—a place where every voice matters and where courage is not an exception but the norm. As leaders, as colleagues, as parents, we have the power to inspire courage in others simply by demonstrating it ourselves.

Let us dare to stand up and say, 'This is me, world,' and in doing so, inspire those around us to do the same.

LoyaltyCraft?was built out of a passion for helping companies create meaningful customer experiences. Founded in 2016 by Lauren Feehrer CCXP, we focus on strategy, qualitative research, customer design, and employee engagement to help mid-market companies open the door to new customers and keep existing ones from leaving out the backdoor.