Trailblazer Courage
The courage to go first inspires those who follow.
The Wright brothers proved that powered flight was possible (1903). Later, Chuck Yeager became the 1st person to fly faster than the speed of sound (1947). Eventually, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon first (1969).
5 Ways to Practice Trailblazer Courage
#1. Sacrifice
In times of crisis, take a pay cut, work longer hours, jump in and do the “grunt work”. Eat last to inspire service. (Leaders Eat Last)
Benefit: Moral credibility adds weight to your words.
#2. Vulnerability
You have a team of fearful fakers when you wear a mask.
Lower your shield to build transparency on the team. Say, “I don’t know,” or “I made a mistake.” Courage to show your humanity builds psychological safety.
Benefit: Teams stop wasting energy hiding errors.
#3. Growth
Become the lead learner. Share your study habits. Become accountable to learn new skills. Challenge your own playbook. Let people see you become a novice.
Benefit: Growth becomes a shared journey.
#4. Feedback
Seek feedback frequently and openly. Don’t be needy. Be focused. Describe something you’re working to develop. Ask people to notice when you succeed and when you could be better.
Benefit: Improvement is everyone’s job.
#5. Options
Build a safe sandbox. Share a “half-baked” idea. Explore the mess. Demonstrate the process of thinking. Reject the need to be right every time.
Benefit: Perfection-paralysis goes the way of the Dodo bird.
Courage is contagious.
What act of courage is calling you today?
Added resource: Courage to Become a Leader
Sacrifice. One of my mentors in this is Earnest Shackleton. From what I’ve read he was a most profane man, but when lives were at stake, he led with courage and sacrifice – he went last. He made sure his men could survive. If someone was to go without, it was he. And in the Providence of God, he saved the lives of his men.
Wonderful example, Pete. The book Endurance by Alfred Lansing is fantastic. https://amzn.to/3NQ49Ix
Yes, indeed. Excellent book.
Explain.
Don’t assume that those around you understand how a decision was reached. Break it down for them. From the outside, it may look harder than it really was. Or it may look easier. Let them in to see how the sausage is made.
Powerful insight, Jennifer. It can feel simpler to hold the cards close to your vest. Maybe in the short-term it is. But the cost comes later when we end up answering questions or explaining what should have been transparent.