The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader - Courage

We continue our learning and growing with the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. This book carries the subtitle: "Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow".

Everything rises and falls on leadership. And leadership truly develops from the inside out. If you can become the leader you ought to be on the inside, you will be able to become the leader you want to be on the outside. People will want to follow you.

Quality #6 - Courage: One person with courage is a majority.

“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities ... because it is the quality which guarantees all others." - Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister

Larry Osborne offers this observation: "The most striking thing about highly effective leaders is how little they have in common. What one swears by, another warns against. But one trait stands out: the willingness to risk."

As you approach the tough decisions that challenge you, recognize these truths about courage:

1. Courage Begins with an Inward Battle.
   1. Courage isn't an absence of fear.  It's doing what you are afraid to do.
   2. It's having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory.
2. Courage Is Making Things Right, Not Just Smoothing Them Over.
   1. Courage deals with principle, not perception.
   2. Your dedication to potential must remain stronger than your desire to appease others.
3. Courage in a Leader Inspires Commitment from Followers.
   1. A show of courage by any person encourages others.
   2. But a show of courage by a leader inspires. It makes people want to follow him.
   3. "Courage is contagious," asserts evangelist Billy Graham. "When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."
4. Your Life Expands in Proportion to Your Courage.
   1. Fear limits a leader.
   2. British theologian John Henry Newman said, "Feat not that your life will come to an end but that it will never have a beginning."
   3. Courage not only gives you a good beginning, but it also provides a better future.

Eleanor Roosevelt acknowledged, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

A courageous act often brings unexpected positive results.

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers." - Karl Barth, Swiss Theologian

Bringing it home:

1. Face the music.
   1. Go out and do something stretching simply for the sake of growing in courage.
2. Talk to the person.
   1. Most people are avoiding confrontation with someone in their lives - an employee, a relative, or a coworker. If that's true for you, talk to that person this week.
3. Take a giant step.
1. If it's the right thing to do, then do it.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc