Courage

Courage. How many of us speak up when we see something wrong happening on the street, in a store, or at a party? 

How many of us speak up when we see something wrong happening at work, whether it's your boss, boss' boss, or a peer?

It doesn't happen enough.

Courage is one of the most underrated but necessary skills in life and work. In the past few years, our lives have changed. People and companies are learning that diverse and dissenting perspectives are the way to grow and advance. Inviting courage and different perspectives is the key to success. 

I found this podcast with Margaret Heffernan interesting, because she offers counter-intuitive insights and challenges conventional business wisdom. She agrees that it's important to challenge leaders' thinking when we have doubts or different ideas.

If you don't use your voice, you give up the power to make important changes that could have a big impact on the future of an organization or even a field.

This wasn't always easy for me to do and is still a work in progress. I was harassed in elementary and middle school for being Jewish. My family and I lived in a small town of 10,000 people in New Hampshire. Almost everyone was Catholic or Christian. 

While I could've chosen to not talk back to those who called me foul names, cracked jokes, threw pennies at me, or dressed in a Nazi uniform, I chose to talk back and speak up while others didn't.

In high school, we sat a large round tables for most of our classes (including math!) and we were graded on participation. The teacher acted more as a moderator and guide. That's where I learned how interesting and important it was to truly consider other people's ideas, and that mine mattered too. 

Find the courage to challenge others - whether it's an injustice you witness or an opinion you disagree with, including questioning the decisions of leaders. That's how change happens, and chances are other people will benefit from your courage.

Photo credit: Benjamin Wedemeyer