Courageous leaders for courageous followers

Courageous leaders for courageous followers

One of the essential qualities of a leader is that he is courageous. It doesn't mean that he is not afraid, but that he is ready to take risks, go out of his familiar and safe surroundings and walk an extra mile along the road less traveled.

Men of courage have made a difference in this world. Any significant progress in society, in family, in politics, in religious life or in business is the result of the courageous decision of a courageous person.

We don't become courageous by occupying a leadership position; rather we are courageous to occupy that position.

1. Courageous people are those who have won the battle over their inner lives. We all have a lot of fears, mainly our inner fears, tensions and anxieties. We are afraid of our perceptions and thoughts, our inhibitions and imaginations. We are afraid to make a decision and make a commitment. We need to win this war within ourselves if we want to become a courageous leader.

When we have won our inner battles we will begin to courageously do things that we were once afraid of doing. To win this most important battle first of all we must discover who we are, identify the weapons we have, prepare ourselves with more talents and use them effectively. Self-mastery is the path to all other victories.

2. Courageous leaders don't run away from problems. Problems are there everywhere for everyone. A courageous leader stands up to these problems and faces them. He faces the mountain and climbs it steadily with strong steps and conquers it courageously. Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to push on in the face of it. It is our ability to confront the fear, the pain, the uncertainty and the danger.

3. Courageous leaders make their followers also courageous. Courage is contagious. People will follow not a coward but a courageous hero who will bravely lead them to higher goals and greater delights.

4. Courageous leaders inspire commitment in others. They make things right and commit themselves fiercely to a cause that they believe in. They are ready to stand for what is right, what is new and inspire others to do the same.

5. Courageous leaders are free and they find opportunities to grow everywhere. Fear enslaves us and prevents us from growing up. We often look for safe places, and are afraid to take risks and challenges but growth comes only when we courageously walk the road less traveled.

6. Courageous leaders are honourable. People admire them for their robust will power and courageous deeds.

7. Courage empowers the leader to do greater wonders. Remember the story of little David who courageously defeated the mighty Goliath. Courage is the key to wonderful living, great performance and high satisfaction.

8. Courage makes us more courageous. When we face the music, go out and do something risky we become more courageous. We are afraid of people, situations, places events and experiences. The only way to overcome this fear is by meeting the monster face to face. Do what you are afraid of doing and you will never be afraid of doing it again.

9. Courage doesn't consist in doing great things that normally people are afraid of doing. But it takes more courage to refrain from gossip, to stand up for what is right, to defend justice, to speak for the voiceless, to live honestly, to accept failures, to give up credits for the sake of others, to refuse to do wrong and to live according to our convictions.

We are courageous when we appreciate the good works and ideas of others, when we speak well of others, when we don't criticise the management and colleagues, when we are punctual and dedicated in our work, when we don't blame others for our failures and defeats, when we sincerely do our duties and preserve the properties of our company and when we genuinely care and share.

Courage is most clearly expressed in forgiveness.

In the first half of 1981 there were two assassination attempts one after the other on Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan. Both could have died but were fortunately saved. Reagan showed much courage and even cracked a joke on his way to the operation theater. The Pope immediately forgave his assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca. In an editorial, Rajmohan Gandhi commented: "Reagan showed how human he was, the Pope showed how divine he was."

Leaders who lack courage aren't leaders.

When we are courageous all our difficulties vanish and all obstacles melt away. We are born to be leaders. Become a courageous leader then.

Joshy Thomas
HR Trainer and Leadership Formator


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