Over the years, people talk about what makes a great leader and it was discovered that, great leaders demonstrate bold but reasoned judgment, spirited but calculated risk-taking and an assertive but reflective disposition.
According to Bill Treasurer, The list of characteristics that comprise great leadership is so long and contradictory, that the aspiring leader is left to ask, “Where on earth do I start?” Fortunately, there is a clear starting point. One leadership characteristic—or more accurately, virtue—informs and strengthens all others: Courage.
Leadership takes making bold and often unpopular decisions. Leadership takes courage Aristotle called courage the first virtue, because it makes all of the other virtues possible. Take away courage, and leadership lose their potency.
Bill indicated that, contrary to popular belief, courage is a teachable and learnable skill, and most everyone has the capacity to be courageous.
You need courage to
- To garner convictions that is stronger than your fears: Fear was given the acoustic, False Evidence Appearing Real. It means that it is not real but you need to be bold to confirm that it isn’t real. Courage helps you to know where to stand in adversity. It kills your fear. Courage helps you to stand against a bully, and you eventually discover that the bully relies on empty threat.
- To get vision that is clearer than your doubts: The picture of the future is what Myles Munroe described Vision as. Vision clears your doubts. Has your sight ever been blurred? if it has, you will appreciate the importance of clear sight, vision. You need courage to take the bold step of self discovery.
- To get self-esteem that is deeper than self-protection: Inferiority complex deals with some students and they get to crawl into their shell. They feel comfortable in their shell and they short-change their lives. Courage is what you need to build a healthy self-esteem.
- Risk taking that is stronger than safety seeking: The underpinning for risk taking is courage. It’s a risk to volunteer to represent your school in a debate competition, you might win or lose. Its either ways but courage boosts your confidence to prepare and decide to emerge the winner. It’s a rare kind of courage.
- Appreciation for discipline that is greater than my desire for leisure: Leaders are exceptional beings. They take up responsibilities that are seemingly bigger than them. These responsibilities require their attention more than ever. Courage gets a leader to embrace discipline, especially self-discipline instead of laxity. Be courageous!
