Do you have courage? Most people don’t think about it until a situation occurs and they desperately need it. But what is it, and what does it take?
Courage: What It Is and What It Takes
The classical virtue is fortitude, better known as courage. This also includes elements of patience and perseverance.
Furthermore, courage is a character trait everyone desires. Most people equate a courageous person with respect. You admire someone with the strength to face danger, who lives up to their convictions, and who follows through on their words.
Remember that, in ethics, it isn’t about fear or facing it but how we face ourselves.
However, each of us faces opportunities to demonstrate our courageousnness we are daily. While you may not recognize this, it’s true. Two examples illustrate daily opportunities to flex this virtuous muscle.
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston Churchill
Stand Up and Speak
Suppose you and your partner drive to a restaurant for dinner, stopping at a red light. Glancing over to say something, you see a teenage boy roughing up a smaller boy on the sidewalk. The youngster, getting pummeled, holds up his arms to deflect the blows.
Possible Actions
- Call out to the perpetrator to warn him to stop.
- Threaten to call the police.
- Stop the car and get out to intervene.
- Ask your partner to dial 911 while you chase off the attacker.
- Do you shake your head and drive away when the light turns green?
Courageous Action
Courage is what it takes to speak up. In this case, you demonstrate it by your words and actions. Doing nothing is not courageous, but the lack of it. You can’t excuse it by saying this isn’t your fight. When you see injustice, it must be your fight. Allowing injustice to continue unchallenged is to perpetrate it.
Sit Down and Listen
In this example, your team has worked hard to prepare a presentation that delivers on your objectives. You look it over and tear it apart without realizing they did what you asked. You’re a demanding boss who wants results.
Possible Actions
- You send terse feedback to the group that they need to start over and that this effort falls short.
- Bob, a team member, comes to your office to discuss your criticism and potential solutions. The interruption is annoying, but you put that aside and invite Bob in. You listen intently as he offers the team’s collective thoughts on improving the presentation.
- Or you can wave Bob off and tell him to return the team to work. They must pay attention to the deadline and give you what you want.
Courageous Action
Courage is what it takes to sit down and listen. You may not realize you have a blind spot regarding certain presentation aspects. Suppose you aren’t willing to listen to what might make it better, even if no one is overtly criticizing you. In that case, you must reconcile yourself to mediocrity and less-than-optimum results. A good leader is courageous, has integrity and empathy, and can listen when the situation requires it
