Courageous Leadership – 5 Steps to Survive Uncertain Times

In this era of intense competition, rapid change, and overwhelming complexity it can be a dog eat dog world. It is the survival of the fittest. Simply put, you either come correct or stay at home! What do you do when you feel like you can’t run with the “big dogs;” and staying on the porch is not an option?

The 5 steps to courageous leadership can provide you with strategies that give you the confidence you need to lead in uncertain times.

Step 1
Do Not Focus On Problems

Courageous leaders understand that focusing on the problems only breeds negative thoughts. Negative thoughts interrupt the creative forces of the brain. Turning lemons into lemonade may be cliché; but it is still practical. Problems are nothing more than brilliantly disguised opportunities. This world exists in delicate balance; for every up there is a down, for every good there is a bad. And for every problem there is a solution. Therefore the key to courageous leadership is to be solution oriented and not fixated on the effects of the problem.

Step 2
Choose Immediate Action

Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice. It takes action to get the job done; but the thieves of activity are indecision and procrastination. The ringleader for these thieves is fear. The fear of failure or the fear of making the wrong decision has foiled many accomplishments. Courageous leaders understand that it is better to make a decision than no decision at all; because even if it is the wrong decision the quicker it’s made the quicker you can arrive at the right conclusion. Courageous leaders say, “Leap and grow your wings on the way down.”

Step 3
Maintain Belief in You Abilities

The impossible is possible. But only to those who believe. You will never accomplish what others only dream of if you are a S.N.I.O.P. That means Susceptible to the Negative Influences of Other People. Courageous leaders maintain a firm conviction that their strengths are greater than their obstacles. People who have succeeded against insurmountable odds to do extraordinary feats were often labeled crazy in the beginning. However, while others doubted and called them crazy they never doubted for a moment that they had what it took to get the job done. For as far back as you can go in recorded history man has been subduing his surroundings. He may have lost some battles but he has never lost the war.

Step 4
Fight for a Cause Bigger Than Yourself

The Carpenter from the plains of Galilee once said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Unprecedented courage can be experienced when people are inspired around something they feel deeply about. It is unwise and potentially fatal to put yourself in extremely dangerous conditions unless the reason for the exposure is for a cause that reaches far beyond the borders of self. If a child trapped under a burning car can empower a parent to lift that car with their bare hands; imagine the possibilities for your leadership for a cause that you are passionate about.

Step 5
Respect Your Limits

Regardless of what you have heard, there is nothing cowardice or weak about asking for help. Some leaders have confused courage with insanity. Courageous leaders understand that being a leader doesn’t mean that you are the end all be all. However, being a leader means you assess your limits and when help is needed you do not hesitate to call in the reinforcements. To do otherwise is more egocentric than courageous. Superman is only in comic books; but super-teams are behind most real heroics.

When a person is first learning how to drive, one the most challenging events is the first time they have merge onto the highway. Things were calm while navigating the lights, stop signs, and parallel parking of the city streets; but the first trip onto the highway was a daring adventure. Life demands from leaders what the on-ramp demands from drivers – caution; courage; and a deep breath.

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