“Creativity Takes Courage” -Henri Matisse
There are no precise ingredients that constitute great leadership. Leaders bring different backgrounds and experiences that represent the ingredients of each person’s leadership. For many leaders, your confidence and courage can hold you back from being effective. Then there are those leaders who know when to be confident and have the courage to make the decisions needed to move the company forward effectively.
“Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you’re in control, they’re in control.” – Tom Landry
How many company leaders have you seen with courage and confidence to bull doze through problems, challenges and difficulties of their organization? Some leaders don’t have these skills and talent. Other leaders have them, yet don’t fully use them to your advantage. Then those who know how to use them well and don’t show off to others as you know when and how to use them for specific situations.
Confidence Requires Courage
True courage and confidence reside in leaders who can solve their organization’s problems, challenges and difficulties. How you complete this task is determined by your courage and confidence. Unlike confidence though, which requires absolute belief in your abilities, courage only requires one thing: that you act. To be courageous is to do things you’re afraid to do.
Without Confidence, There is No Leadership
“Leadership requires the courage to make decisions that will benefit the next generation.”
-Alan Autry
Leaders need to be courageous and confident in order to make tough calls and to take risks. Courage is the constant willingness to go beyond your comfort zone. Push yourself out of your comfort zone so that you can take your leadership to the next level. Without stepping outside of your comfort zone, your effectiveness as well as courage and confidence will not help you. Confidence is the primary basis in which leadership will grow.
Having a Confidently Courageous Mindset
Being a leader with the courage and confidence to be effective in your position is a mindset. Knowing how to manage tensions and to leading in tough times has a lot to do with being confident and having the courage to take actions on the things that matter most.
Self-confidence is the fundamental basis from which your leadership grows. Courage is a choice that requires action. A courageous leader will face problems head on. You may not know the outcome yet you need to still stand up to problems wherever they arise. A courageous leader is confident enough to admit that they don’t have all the answers. Just as creativity is considered as a muscle, some say courage is like a muscle—the more you use it the stronger it becomes. This means taking a risk with your values, your beliefs, and your vision.
“Unlike confidence, which requires absolute belief in your abilities, courage only requires one thing: that you act. To be courageous is to do things you’re afraid to do.”
-Written by Ashford University Staff
As the saying goes “use it or lose it”, you know what got you in the position of being a leader, now demonstrate not just your skills, your talent includes having the courage to be confident in taking action on the decisions you want implemented. Your leadership is an opportunity to show your courage and gain confidence. Confidence is the outcome of your thoughts and the actions you take. It is based on your belief in your ability to succeed.
You have the opportunity today to be more outstanding than ever before- Take advantage of it.