Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. One of the speakers was University of Houston professor, Brene Brown. You may have heard Brown’s Ted Talk that went viral in 2010.
One of the things Professor Brown said during her talk was that every leader needs to “Be brave.” She framed it up this way … “You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both. They are mutually exclusive.”
So many times I want to be seen as courageous, but I’m unwilling to turn my back on comfort. Newsflash to self. YOU CAN’T HAVE BOTH!
As you approach this week, you can chase comfort, or you can choose courage. But remember, the two of them are mutually exclusive. You can’t have both.
Randy
What is one area where you need to show courage this week?
Comments?
John Wayne used a famous line in one of movies: Courage is being afraid but going into battle anyway. Or in essence, being afraid to leave your safe place but leaving its security to do what is needed to be done. I would agree that is leadership too. Sounds like a great conference you attended.
There is a reason he was The Duke! Thanks, coach.
Very timely blog Randy. Thanks for keeping the faith and the focus! And LOVE the picture of the fish leaving the comfort of the school and daring to leap out on his/her own!
Thanks, Scott. Hope you have a courageous week!
I heard her talk and it was fabulous. And I do agree that there are times in life that we choose comfort out of fear of doing something that we know we need to, are meant to, or should. But there are also times where we are asked to step outside of areas where we naturally flourish – into roles or situations that we are not gifted at or not meant to be in. In those times, you could call it “comfort” or living within your character and natural bent…but I think those times call for comfort over courage to do something that you just know isn’t for you.
Dionna
http://beautyinthestorm.com
Great comment, Dionna. Thanks!
Being called to “step back” is not always comforting. In fact, for many it’s quite a challenge. The willingness to do it takes humility. Actually doing takes courage.