Conscious- and Inspired-Leadership Essentials
THE ELEMENTS OF COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP

The economic realities of the past few years have been dissected and studied by the pundits; lived by business owners, executives and employees; and speculated on by market players. Now is the time to act in a way that creates the positive forward-momentum needed for the coming months, and an inspired launch into a dynamic year ahead.

Enough with the waiting for someone else to make a move or hoping that the tide will change on its own. Enough with letting the morning news shape your expectations, vision and prospects for the day.

After all, there will always be a wide variety of outside circumstances happening — some which work in your favor, some which seem to actively oppose your goals, and some that seem neutral. Some of these circumstances you may influence, and some are beyond your control. The key to courageous leadership and conscious action is how one responds to what arises on the path, rather than whether individual circumstances are defined as great, good, bad or just plain ugly.

In conscious, courageous leadership, every situation or circumstance — every so-called success or failure, barrier or doorway — is simply another opportunity for greater creativity, mastery, and fulfillment of higher potential.

Some of the benefits of conscious, courageous leadership include the potential for:

• Increased alignment with your true values, purpose, and higher potential;
• Greater momentum toward a revitalized vision and renewed sense of the group's purpose;
• Higher morale among employees or partners;
• The infusion of new ideas, and a recalibrating of outdated or stifling processes; and
• More authentic, dynamic, and effective communication.

…each of which help inspire morale, retain employees and boost productivity.

What is courageous leadership?

By many definitions, leaders are courageous by nature. The help inspire and guide others toward new vistas, through tough times and over seemingly insurmountable hurdles.

In the workplace, leaders are typically identified by their titles, and may demonstrate the courageous behavior mentioned above. But imagine a group, department or company where "citizen-leaders" are invigorated by the notion that they can be courageous every week — regardless of their title or role. Picture the results of a team with such high morale and unified commitment to their own group mission, as well as the company's, that its members feel a true sense of ownership and responsibility. Or, visualize the leader who inspires a level of momentum that ushers in a new, more effective way of working and a stronger sense of purpose. All are possible, and each requires courage.

How can courage manifest in the workplace?

Powerful acts of courage in the workplace are possible each week. Yet we shy away from many such actions or expressions because they have such a high potential for "rocking the status quo," and would demand that we walk our talk about values, mission and purpose — both as individuals and as an organization. Examples include:

• Providing honest input and counsel
• Choosing not to lay people off simply for a short-term boost in stock prices
• Presenting outside-the-norm ideas
• Sharing an alternative viewpoint
• Speaking up, rather than being complicit in silence
• Not falling prey to the perception that "working longer hours equals increased productivity"
• Advocating for a potential new hire without much direct experience
• Not settling for the status quo

There are no doubt many other "small acts of courage," depending on a particular organization's culture and operational (and interaction) norms. In one organization, simply disagreeing might be an act of courage; in another, a courageous act might seem much greater. Yet both require a break from unproductive norms.

How can you tap your courage?

Courageous leadership spawns from a true sense of vision, and a commitment to that vision that transcends the inevitable rollercoaster ride that we call business. It is this vision that sustains a leader through the fear that precedes courage, and in fact, serves as the fuel to blast through the fear toward action. Courage, but its very nature, requires facing and moving through fear rather than settle for a state of "old familiar" that doesn't allow the development and sharing of gifts, skills and talents.

The first step in harnessing your courage is to develop a vision that represents your authentic self and goals, and aligning that vision with the business and its goals.

What can you do — today — to become more courageous?

Given the economic and cultural challenges of the past few years, courage and initiative are much-needed qualities for every group and business. To foster courageous leadership in your organization or group, begin by discussing these "food-for-thought and dialogue" questions. Your responses may help shape and clarify your vision, provide a well of motivation to sustain your efforts, and help uncover the opportunities to be courageous in the workplace:

• What is your vision for your business/group/department? (Be as specific as possible.)
• In what instances have your co-workers been courageous in the workplace?
• What impressions did those co-workers and actions give you?
• How do the concepts authenticity, leadership, courage and initiative relate to one another, and how can they fuel one another?
• How, specifically, can you be more courageous in your role at work?
• What tangible benefits will arise from your courageous action?
• What communication skill would help you become more courageous?
• What other questions can you add to this list to lead you through fear, into courage and ultimately to a higher peak of performance, meaningfulness and satisfaction?

Acts of courage can also be private, as part of an individual's own path toward contribution and development. Or they can be part of a collective effort to propel a group or organization past its previous level of performance (or out of complacency).

For consultation on clarifying and making progress towards your own vision for inspired leadership, conscious enterprise, or big-vision group, contact us at Ivy Sea to explore the possibilities. For additional articles related to this topic, see the links below.

Copyright, Jamie S. Walters. This material is offered as food-for-thought rather than customized counsel. As always, the most effective strategy is one that's specifically tailored to your unique organizational culture, group personality, and individual needs. Have questions? We welcome your email inquiry.