When uncertainty rises, many leaders slow down and wait for reassurance. That instinct is human, and often fatal to momentum. Leadership courage isn’t about bold gestures or loud certainty. It’s about taking responsibility when conditions are unclear and others are looking for steadiness. Courage has a cost, but so does hesitation.
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Be clear on what you serve. Fear loses its grip when purpose is settled. Leaders who know what matters - and what doesn’t - are harder to knock off course. If your values are negotiable, your courage will be too.
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Earn confidence the hard way. Courage is built long before it’s required. Preparation, judgement and experience matter. You don’t rise to the occasion; you fall back on what you’ve practised. Do the thinking early, while others are distracted.
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Move with incomplete information. Waiting for certainty is comforting, and usually unrealistic. Leaders act with what they know, test assumptions, and adjust course. Progress comes from motion, not perfect plans.
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Use the strength around you. No leader succeeds alone. Good counsel sharpens decisions and prevents blind spots. Asking for challenge isn’t weakness; it’s professional discipline.
- Project calm when it counts. When leaders lose composure, fear spreads fast. Guard your routines, your rest and your thinking space. Calm isn’t passive, it’s how trust is maintained when pressure is highest.
The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please contact us.
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