More Answers... (11/16/25 Newsletter): Courage is Hard (until it isn't...)
Hi Everyone,
Here's your Sunday Evening "More Answers..." to help you head into the work week-- remember, you can see previous newsletters at https://www.askchrista.com/blog/, and all topics are related to the many advising and messaging exchanges I've had each week!
Tonight’s topic? Courage in the workplace, and not necessarily the really big shows of bravery, but even the small demonstrations, like speaking up when you know something is wrong or adding your voice when you know something is right.
Courage Isn't Loud. (Sometimes It's Not Even Obvious Until Hindsight...)
Courage is rarely talked about in the workplace, which means it's bound to be misunderstood, undervalued, and out of sight. Most see bravado as a skill adjacent to courage. Some consider assertiveness as part of courage. But no. It's not even a dominant show of opinion or a contrarian speak-up while making the boldest proclamation in the meeting.
True courage is quiet, thoughtful, measured, principled, and grounded in understanding the risks while still choosing to move forward with purpose.
It's true that good ideas are executed with diligence, focus, and hard work, but BOLD ideas come to life when we know how to responsibly overcome the doubts inside us and manage uncertainties that abound in the real world.
Courage In the Workplace
Research shows that courageous action in organizations is tied to prosocial risk-taking, where "pro-social" means for the greater good based on what is right or necessary. The courage piece is moving forward despite personal discomfort or uncertainty (Rate et al., 2007).
Courage looks like:
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Making decisions that affect you before they affect your team.
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Being honest about uncertainty while still giving direction.
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Asking for expertise when and where yours ends.
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Sharing credit widely and owning missteps fully.
Courage is a necessary trait in effective leaders. It demonstrates a willingness to do hard things thoughtfully because it's the best step forward based on the data and the right step forward based on shared values.
Amplifying the Courage You Have and Building the Skills You Need
You don’t need to be naturally bold to be courageous. Courage is a trait many people have, but it is also a skill that can be learned, fine-tuned, and practiced:
• Gain Clarity on the “Why”
Clarity builds courage. When you know why a decision matters, you can withstand the emotional friction that comes with uncertainty. Leaders with a strong sense of purpose demonstrate greater resilience because purpose reduces fear responses (Hannah et al., 2011).
• Gather Data and Trusted Expertise
Courage is not leaping blind; it’s stepping forward after learning what you can, asking what you must, and inviting others into the process. The stronger your foundation of facts, and the less ego you have in the process, the steadier your judgment feels.
• Tell the Truth About the Risks
Naming risks out loud reduces the power they have over you. Courage grows when you stop pretending you’re not afraid and start acknowledging that the work is worth it in spite of the risk(s) because the benefits of the "why" and the potential gains outweigh the risks.
• Build Trust by Absorbing the Consequences
The most respected leaders show courage by absorbing consequences before passing them to their workforce. This builds trust and models responsibility.
Practice with Small Examples of Courage
Courage doesn't have to be big or dramatic; remember, most times it is quiet. It also happens on a daily basis. But practice matters so that when the big decisions and dramatic times come, you are prepared. Here's what small examples of courage look like that you can try this week:
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Ask a hard question in a meeting: one that aims to brings clarity, not conflict. Choose a question based on where you feel confused or feel you need to better understand what's been communicated.
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Request feedback from someone whose perspective stretches you.
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Share an early idea rather than waiting until it feels "safe."
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Admit uncertainty honestly and pair it with your next best step.
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Advocate for someone else’s idea when it deserves the spotlight.
These small acts not only builds your “courage muscles,” but also builds a reputation about courage, too.
BOOSTER FOR YOUR WEEK!!!
Want to learn more about this? Then follow Dr. Gloria Mark...
Susan David, Ph.D., is a psychologist whose work studies how we deal with our emotions. In her TED talk, The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage, she talks about her own journey through "the rigidity of denial" to what she calls "emotional agility." It's from 2017, posted in early 2018, and has incredible depth and relevance now in 2025.
With the turnaround and recovery/resets I have accomplished in my career, and with the highly complex and often devastating patient cases I've supported, I know first-hand that we require inner courage before we can display it for others to see.
While her talk does not focus exclusively on courage in the workplace, it is the right place to start if you are interested in learning more, doing more, and applying more regarding courage.
Enjoy!
And remember, if you have a business challenge or workplace issue... Ask Christa!
REFERENCES
Hannah, S. T., Sweeney, P. J., & Lester, P. B. (2011). Toward a courageous mindset: The subjective act and experience of courage. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(2), 99–114. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2010.536759
Rate, C. R., Clarke, J. A., Lindsay, D. R., & Sternberg, R. J. (2007). Implicit theories of courage. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2(2), 80–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760701228755
