COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

In my consulting work I find organizations where there is a high level of excitement, enthusiasm and positive energy; and other organizations where employees just seem to be hanging on till the next pay day.

One difference I have found in an organization with a positive and energized culture is they have leaders who are willing (and able) to powerfully engage their people, who carefully listen, pay attention, and remain in an authentic learning posture. This type of leader engages and energizes their organizations much more redily than leaders who are just good at thinking "strategically."

This type of engaging leadership takes courage. It takes courage to step down from the “I am right and know the way” pedestal, to a true “partnership” mindset. Where a leader is willing to authentically engage their co-workers… learn from those around them… rather than just prove they are right.

A courageous leader is careful to balance the “head” of leadership (the analytical, strategic, process driven, thinking part of being a leader) with the “heart” of leadership (the relational, heroic, loving and sheparding part of being a leader.)

Fundamentally, there are 3 qualities reflect the “heart” side of leadership:

1) Honest Self Awareness
2) Sincere Enthusiasm
3) Compelling Courage

As I coach executives and leaders, I usually start with self-awareness – and then move onto increasing enthusiasm, and then finally the strengthening of courage as they lead the way. Results of courage in a leader include:

At the personal level: Integrity, Innovation, Intuition, Balance
At the interpersonal level: Seeing others with fresh eyes, Development of trust, Artful delegation
At the organizational level:  Effective decision making, Standing up for the truth, The formation of compelling futures