The Anatomy of Courage

This past November, I gave a speech in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to the Women In Business network. The group is made of inspiring and ambitious business and political women leaders. The topic of courage is tricky to talk about, and, at the same time, super important to unpack. It was a bit daunting to speak about courage in a place that has defined it for the world.

Here are the main points I shared:

1. Courage is evident in decisions both big and small. Starting small can help us build our capacity to navigate uncertainty and criticism, which often accompany acts of courage.

2. It is essential to redefine leadership during challenging times. Traditional models often lack effective traits such as empathy, investment in others, mentorship, humility, and kindness.

3. Women have a unique capacity to lead differently in this era. Research shows that women often exhibit transformational leadership, combining various traditional styles while focusing on empowering others to co-create solutions.

4. Building courage is not innate; it can be developed through key actions:

 - Stand with those who are being brave.

 - Embrace uncertainty and invite collaboration in finding solutions.

 - In advocating for diversity, use language that emphasizes outcomes and benefits for everyone.

 - Encourage and engage in mentoring others.

 - Model the leadership you wish to see in others.

 - Find deeper purpose in your work. This gives you the grounding to lead with courage.