Tap into everyday courage for extraordinary results The Courageous Leader presents a much-needed reminder for leaders everywhere: it takes courage. Courage is not just about heroic acts in grandiose situations-it's about everyday, solid-as-a-rock support and leadership that motivates, inspires, and delivers. It's about taking a risk on a great idea, and it's about seeing opportunities in the day-to-day. Courageous leaders aren't necessarily the bold "Navy SEALS" of the workplace; they're the everyday people who lead steadily through rough waters. They don't seek out discomfort, but accept it as part of the process when it occurs, and still deliver exceptional results. This book shows you how to tap into your courage reserves and build your steel. Real stories of everyday leaders show you how it's done, and provide a new lens for seeing real strength in adversity-and practicing it yourself.
Tough situations do arise, but great leaders show courage every day. Keeping your strength in reserve for the big problems leaves you operating at less-than-full capacity the rest of the time-and your people deserve better. This book shows you how to exercise courage every day in small situations to build the unshakeable foundation of a great leader.
Move beyond your comfort zone
Develop your ability to focus through tough times
Tap into your natural courage and hone your leadership ability
Leverage your strength in situations large and small
The more you exercise courage, the stronger it gets; this book shows you how to use it every day to more effectively navigate small challenges-when the big problems arise, you'll face them with The Courageous Leader.
Foreword xi
Introduction xiii
Courage Is the Way
The Three Components of Courage: Diversity, Pain, and Choice
The Intention of the Author and This Book
1 The Business Case for Courage 1
The Fear of Discomfort and Pain Pain Thresholds Common Reactions to Tough Times Uncommon Choices The Big Temptation Honoring the Courageous Leader in You Assessing the Risks
2 The Courage to Get Unstuck 27
When Life Kicks You out of the Workplace Stuck in a Paradigm Copyrighted Material Pain During the Transition Making Sense of Our Pain
3 The Courage to Take a Stand 45
So, What Exactly Are Values? Actual and Aspirational Values Why Values Matter in Leadership Clarity on Values Activating Our Values
4 The Courage to Be Humble 63
Arrogance in the Workplace Intentions, Behaviors, and Arrogance Arrogance Is the Birthplace of the Humbling Experience Why Humility Matters Minimize Self and Maximize Our Bigger Purpose
5 The Courage to Be Confident 83
Those People Complex Confidence Comes from Self-Trust Your Vote Counts, and You Get to Vote for You! Confidence in the Workplace Strategies and Tools for Building Confidence
6 The Courage to Delegate 105
Delegation Takes Too Much Time I Feel Guilty Giving My Team More Work I Love Doing It All-or at Least Being the Superstar I Am Afraid My People Won't Do It as Well as I Would My Customer Wants Only Me I Don't Have People to Delegate to
7 The Courage to Give and Receive Feedback 123
The Big Temptation and Courageous Feedback The Feedback Trifecta-Giving Feedback The Feedback Trifecta-Receiving Feedback
8 The Courage to Be in the Middle (and Not Be in the Middle) 147
Much That Seems Personal Is Not Personal at All Be a Bottom When You Should Middle Between Two Ends Middle Space and Courage
9 Grow, Recover, Repeat 169
Recovery in the Workplace Indications We Need Recovery
10 Big Dreams, Big Moves 181
Big Dreams Big Moves Expect Success Plan for the Worst Build Your Board of Directors Recalibrating Making Your Big Move
Acknowledgments 197
Epilogue 199
About the Author 201
Index 203
