5 Types of Workplace Courage (#186)

The dictionary defines courage as the willingness to confront danger or uncertainty. Parachuting out of an airplane takes one type of courage. Pushing yourself to attempt a long, mountainous bicycle ride takes another type of courage. In the case of grit, courage is demonstrated by managing the fear of failure. Gritty goals are typically stretch goals or targets exceeding what is expected.

When going after tough goals, the fear of failure is a very real emotion that must be acknowledged and dealt with. For some, the fear of failure may manifest itself in a reluctance to try new things; self-sabotage such as procrastination, failure to follow-through, or anxiety; low self-confidence; or perfectionism, such as a willingness to try only those things that can be finished perfectly. As I have tried to accomplish tough, gritty goals, I have experienced all of those feelings. Usually, I procrastinate when trying to build momentum towards a tough goal. What do you do? Overcoming your fears are a real challenge.

In the workplace there are five types of courage — managerial, intellectual, moral, social, and disciplined. Each type of courage has a role in your leadership toolbox. I’ll introduce you to each one and actions to take to build it within yourself in the paragraphs below.

5 Types of Courage

Managerial Courage

Managerial courage is having hard, uncomfortable conversations when it comes to people challenges. It’s telling an individual, even if they’re really nice, that they’re not achieving their potential. It’s having to let a toxic coworker go, even if they’re brilliant and possess knowledge that no one else in the company possesses. Courageous managers are those who do what’s right for the business and the culture, even if it’s not the most popular or positive action to take. Having managerial courage can result in your leadership role feeling like “it is lonely at the top.”

Action: One way to build managerial courage is to create accountability. Write down the five most important managerial decisions you need to make. Share the list with one person (your spouse, a peer, or a friend) and ask them to hold you accountable for making the decisions. Set up a weekly call or check-in with them to keep yourself on track.

Intellectual Courage 

There comes a time in everyone’s career where they develop confidence in thinking for themselves and have an opinion of what’s right or what has to be done to accomplish the goals. Many times demonstrating intellectual courage requires suspending your thoughts and opinions so that you are open to the viewpoints of others – regardless of who or where they come from – to get to the best solution.

Action: One way to build intellectual courage is to try to ask as many questions of your team as you make statements. Asking questions gets you to hear other’s views and perspectives. You don’t have all the answers — your team definitely has some great ideas on how to solve whatever problems the group is confronting. Stop talking and start listening as a leader.

Moral Courage

You’ve likely heard integrity described as “doing the right thing, even when no one is looking” or “doing the harder right, rather than the easier wrong.” This is often easier said than done. There are many times when doing the right thing can be uncomfortable and unpopular; it can even put you in a disadvantage. Having moral courage can mean refusing to engage in workplace gossip while confronting those who do. It can mean letting your best, most favored team member go because they failed to follow the most critical safety protocols.

Action: One way to build moral courage is to try to increase your awareness of doing nothing. For example, if you allow the wrong to go unpunished do you create a new standard? To start to grow your moral courage, write down how you will feel about yourself if you do nothing and the impact of doing nothing on the organization.

Social Courage

The fourth aspect of courage needed is related to social courage, which means being authentically you. John Keegan’s book The Mask of Command discusses this idea in a military context. The "mask of command" is the face a leader shows to his followers — those external attributes that help them maintain their power that are presented in a way that reflects the needs of their followers. Sometimes the mask is not your true self. There are many times in our lives when we feel pressure to conform. Yet, when we assimilate, we shape-shift into a watered-down version of ourselves and lose our voice, that thing that makes us unique.

Action: One way to build social courage is to share your fears and vulnerabilities with your team. That way your team knows what you are worried about and a little more of yourself.

Disciplined Courage
The final component of company courage is disciplined courage. Disciplined courage is the courage to be reflective, strategic, and focused in the face of constant distractions and opposition. This is especially tough today with social media, emails, texts, YouTube videos, and countless other things all competing for your very limited time and attention.

Action: One way to build disciplined courage is to break a goal down into steps and figure out ways to achieve each of the small steps on the way to accomplishing the bigger goal.

Conclusion

Develop your understanding of the five types of courage and then go on the offensive in 2022 to grow your courage.