Courage can mean so many different things. It can mean asking a date out to a movie, or speaking up at a staff meeting, or boarding a rocket for the moon. Courage is essential in our personal and professional lives to ensure that we continue to grow, develop and reach our true potential.
Nothing Is Impossible With A Little Courage
It is more important than ever that we, as a species, turn our attention to the skies. The moon has been untouched by humans for decades. Mars is still an elusive dream. Asteroids that yield untold treasures are waiting. But what will help us achieve these goals? It isn't just money or politics. We need courage.
Only 12 humans have walked on the moon. The men and women who worked in the Apollo programs ensured that we would finally reach our nearest celestial neighbour.
But the journey was dangerous and deadly. Apollo 1 saw the deaths of three brave astronauts. These men had accepted the dangers, however, and other astronauts forged ahead to achieve the goal of the moon.
The last man to step on the moon, Eugene 'Gene' Cernan, passed away recently. His footprint is the very last bit of humanity left behind. The courage of these men is clear, and while most of us will never leave the planet, it's important to remember that we all hold that kind of courage in our hearts.
People try to typecast astronauts as heroic and superhuman. We're only human beings.
Eugene Cernan
Courage Isn't The Absence Of Fear
Courage is the way you overcome your fear. You feel the fear, but you close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then do whatever it is anyway. Step outside of your comfort zone and do something unfamiliar so you can continue to grow & develop.
Courage means something different to almost everyone. In the workplace, courage is essential. But our brains are conditioned to respond to FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real).
The amygdala in your brain controls the 'fight or flight' reaction. It's important to retrain your brain to respond only when there is a real danger, not just when there is a tough meeting to attend.
How Courage Relates To Collaboration
Courage is one of the pillars under the competency of Collaboration in the i4 Neuroleader™ Model . Learning how to have the ‘tough’ conversations with others is just an example of how courage may assist us in developing a more collaborative approach at work and in life. This means not only acquiring good interpersonal abilities but also knowing how to overcome limiting beliefs that can get in the way of being able to face issues head-on.
The i4 Neuroleader™ Program can help you learn more about your own limitations, some of which may be preventing you from overcoming your fears.
i4 Neuroleader™ Model Framework
5 Tips For Courage
- Be adventurous
- Read about future trends
- Mix with people who are different
- Say 'I love you’
- Explore what triggers your fear response
When you think of courage, what pops into your head? Flying to Mars, or scaling a cliff? While these certainly require courage, it is time to imagine being courageous in the workplace and to imagine the positive changes that will result. The change starts with you, and recognising your fears is the first step to finding your courage.
