Courage - are you the lion or the tin man?

“Courage is when you’re scared to death, but you saddle up anyway.” John Wayne. 

Webster describes courage as having the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. 
 
People with courage as a strength find excitement and energy in pursuing activities that test their nerves. They may seek to make decisions that shake up the status quo or go against the grain. Bateman cites Harriet Tubman as an example of courage. Tubman was the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the American Civil War. She had previously helped slaves to escape using a network of activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. The difference between bravery and courage here is the unexpectedness of the approach taken by Tubman based on her strong ability to act on the courage of her own convictions and act in accordance with her own beliefs. 

​Do you work with someone from whom courage is a strength? Do they lead inspire confidence in the way they lead their team? 
 
What can we learn from courage? Every day we see courage. Whether it is refugees fleeing their homes to start life again somewhere new, or whether it is someone performing on the stage for the first time. 
​If, for you, courage is a learned behaviour, it perhaps doesn’t feel natural for you to step outside of your comfort zone or take risks. Perhaps you are afraid to deal with conflict or confrontation. Sometimes, assertiveness can complement courage. Training yourself to take small steps to face fears is a great start.

If courage is a weakness, it may manifest in impulsive decision making or risk taking. Remembering to take some time to relax and reflect before making decisions is always a great idea.