The Cowardly Lion

If you’re familiar with the Wizard of Oz, you’re familiar with the character who plays the cowardly lion.

If not, you’ll understand after reading this post.

When it comes to leadership, courage isn’t thought of as essential.

But it is.

Doing the right thing under pressure from the opposition (sometimes on your own team) is tough.

Courage is coupled with conviction because when you believe in something you push forward regardless of the pushback.

It can be said great leaders are made during pivotal moments.

Like the analogy, pressure breaks pipes or makes diamonds.

How often are leaders defined by how they handle stressful moments?

Leaders who embrace the responsibility tend to rise to the level needed.

It’s easy to go along with the popular vote, but how willing are you to stick your neck out and take the blame if your decision goes awry?

That doesn’t mean courageous leaders always go with their opinion and disregard the feelings of others.

It means doing the right thing even if it upsets others.

• In the movie, Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion was plagued by fear.

• That is the opposite of courage.

Have you ever noticed in movies that the hero always acts courageous?

Leaders shouldn’t aim to be heroes (too much ego involved), but if done right it can be a result of acting courageous.

• The reality is leadership isn’t a popularity contest.

• Those who aim to please everyone fail to gain respect from anyone.

It’s a tradeoff.

Courage stands up to the bully, knows the reason behind their decision and is willing to put their reputation on the line.

Instead of glamorizing leadership, I’m here to make you think twice about it.

My hope isn’t to (dis)courage you, but rather paint a more realistic expectation.

If courage is required of effective leaders, you should only step into that role if you’re willing to defend your decisions made.

Since no one is bulletproof when it comes to making decisions, being courageous also means having the humility to admit when you fail or make mistakes.

Courage makes positional leadership weak.

• Just because you have the title as leader doesn’t mean people are willing to follow your lead.

• But if you act with courage time after time you’ll earn the following and respect of your team.

Even courageous leaders don’t bat 1000%.

• It’s not about perfection, but consistency.

• When people witness your courage in action, they are drawn to you.

It’s one of the reasons why Charlie Kirk died with such a devout tribe.

Despite if you agree with his political views, he lived with conviction.

So as leaders it’s crucial to be courageous - it’s not an option.

Courage points to the “why” or purpose in leadership.

Decide on yours because it will eventually define you.

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God Bless,

Scott 

If you found this helpful and you’re looking to improve your soft skills as a leader, here are ways to work with me directly:

• 🗣 Hire me to speak at your company or next event (watch my speaking reel here)

• 🎤 Invite me to lead an interactive training workshop, remotely or in-person (depending on location)

• 🤝 Start 1:1 coaching with me as a new manager, current leader or executive (I once managed 30 people 1:1 weekly❗️)

Also, you can help me out by forwarding this to friends whom would benefit from it! Thank you!