Do you practice Courageous Care?
This is something all leaders should practice daily!
A few events and situations that I have experienced in my own life and come across in the various roles I play have led me to ponder about the importance of a leadership trait I call Courageous Care.
As I think about some of the leaders I respect the most, it is evident to me that they have an ability to overcome their instinct of self-preservation for the benefit of their followers.
I have so much admiration for the men and women who work as first responders in our emergency services. These are the people who put on their uniform each day and leave their home having made a decision that if called upon, they will run towards danger instead of from it.
In our everyday lives as leaders, we are often called upon to deal with situations that require us to run towards danger rather than from it. These are perhaps tough decisions we need to make that may cause us to feel unpopular, or an honest conversation that may cause us to worry about disturbing a peaceful relationship and thereby accepting behaviour which needs correcting. We are paralyzed by a fear that prevents us from acting with true care towards the people we lead, be it at work, in our associations or in our own homes. We put it off for another day hoping that day may never come.
Put simply, Courageous Care is choosing to care about others sufficiently so that we overcome a natural instinct of self-preservation or protecting self-interests for the benefit of others and a shared vision.
The reality is that we will be respected when we lead with our chin and speak the truth in love. I am sure that many of us have the character to recognise moments that call for courageous care but do we have the courage to act. If you see it and decide not to act it, then sadly you have decided not to lead.
Here are some steps that you can take to increase your Courageous Care:
- Choose to help others flourish. This is what servant leadership is all about. No matter what you think about them or if you are concerned they may get credit you deserve, your disposition towards them should be to help them succeed.
- Become more self-aware. Your personality type might mean you are simply wired to be more likely to avoid conflict or keep from pointing out someone’s shortcomings
- Put it into practice in everyday life. Courageous Care is not something you can switch on and off but a decision to live with courageous care. Small acts of kindness often take some courage or practicing some tough love with your children.
- Get someone to hold you accountable. This is akin to practicing courageous care towards oneself. Ask for feedback for yourself.
In conclusion, I have resolved to work on this leadership trait in my own life, so if you are a friend or colleague, I invite you to help me and hold me accountable. Otherwise, if this is a concept that you would like to explore more for yourself or your team, then don’t hesitate to give me a call.
