In a recent teleconference with sports psychologists and top managers,
the managers were asked; What is the no.1 trait you want in the young people you hire?
Without hesitation, one of the managers said; “Courage. Its what’s lacking. The courage to be out in front. To do the right thing, not the popular thing.”
Courage may appear to be simple, but it’s rarely easy. It’s like telling the truth. The truth is simple; it is what it is. But telling the truth can have negative consequences, so it’s not always easy.
It takes courage to do the right thing. Courage is intentional and authentic. But there is no courage without vulnerability. You have to be willing to show up. You have to be willing to put yourself out there. You have to be willing to fail. If you can overcome that, then you are courageous, no matter what the outcome is.
The courage in fighting the school bully isn’t in the fight, the courage is in showing up. Show up! In a University of Houston Ted Talk, Dr Brene Brown said: “If you’re strong enough to be brave, just know you need to be strong enough to get your ass kicked a few times. If you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback! The guys in the cheap seats who judge? Everybody wants to be great until they realize what it takes to do it.” It takes courage!
It takes courage to push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s there that all the growth occurs! There is where you can discover so much about yourself. There is where you develop confidence, gratitude, empathy and grit. There is where leaders are made. But it takes courage to go there!
Stay safe, stay healthy.
John Baldwin
Mental Conditioning Coach
Headstrong Performance Training