When it comes to business leadership, what’s the difference between stagnation and transformation? It often comes down to one thing: courage. Ryan Berman, co-founder of Courageous, has built a career helping leaders, teams, and organizations brave what is hard. In a recent conversation, he broke down the essence of courageous leadership and why it’s the key to unlocking meaningful work.
Defining Courageous Leadership
Berman describes courageous leadership as the ability to move forward despite fear, uncertainty, or resistance. Leaders and teams often find themselves stuck, playing it safe, or feeling stale. When this happens, courage becomes the necessary catalyst for change. True leadership isn’t just about guiding a team—it’s about having the conviction to embrace the hard and take action, even when the outcome is uncertain.
His formula for courage is simple yet powerful:
Knowledge + Faith + Action = Courage
Leaders must gather enough knowledge to make informed decisions, develop faith in their vision and abilities, and ultimately take action to bring ideas to life. Without action, courage remains theoretical. Without faith, knowledge alone can lead to paralysis. The balance of all three components is what drives real, courageous leadership.
Overcoming Fear: The Biggest Barrier to Courage
Fear is the number one factor holding leaders back. It creates hesitation, stifles innovation, and prevents organizations from evolving. Fear breeds fear, and when it permeates a company’s culture, it leads to a risk-averse environment where bold decisions are avoided.
On the flip side, courage breeds courage. Leaders who model courageous decision-making empower their teams to do the same. By fostering a culture that encourages experimentation and open conversations about challenges, companies can turn fear into fuel for growth.
The Role of Mindset in Leadership
Shifting to a courageous mindset requires intentionality. Leaders must move beyond just setting goals and assessing skills; they must prioritize the mindset necessary to achieve those goals.
Berman emphasizes that many organizations focus on goal-setting and skill-building, but neglect the mindset required to navigate challenges. Leaders must cultivate a team-wide belief that facing difficulties head-on is not just necessary but expected. This means stepping into difficult conversations, embracing new approaches, and being willing to sacrifice comfort for progress.
Courage as Regret Insurance
One of the most compelling insights Berman shares is that courage acts as regret insurance. Leaders often reflect on missed opportunities and wonder what could have been. The antidote? Making bold moves, even in the face of uncertainty. The more leaders push forward through difficult situations, the less they’ll look back with regret.
The Power of Believership
Berman introduces the concept of believership, the idea that leadership isn’t just about authority—it’s about creating a collective belief in a vision. When leaders operate with authenticity and conviction, they cultivate a team of believers rather than passive employees.
Believership is what separates great organizations from mediocre ones. A culture built on courage and shared belief leads to teams that aren’t just compliant but fully invested in the mission.
Building a Courageous Organization
For leaders looking to instill courage within their teams, here are key takeaways:
- Push Through Fear: Courageous leadership requires embracing discomfort and making tough decisions.
- Embrace the Hard: The best leaders don’t avoid challenges—they lean into them.
- Take Meaningful Action: Knowledge and faith must be paired with execution.
- Surround Yourself with Courageous People: The people around you influence your mindset; choose wisely.
- Lead with Authenticity: A transparent, real approach fosters trust and commitment.
- Prioritize Courageous Growth: Invest in your own courage and create opportunities for your team to do the same.
The Path to Meaningful Work
In business, courage isn’t optional—it’s essential. Leaders who commit to courageous decision-making create environments where meaningful work can flourish. By fostering a culture of bravery, teams become more engaged, innovative, and aligned with their mission.
The question for leaders isn’t whether courage is necessary—it’s whether they’re willing to embrace it. Because in the end, courage isn’t just about taking risks; it’s about ensuring that the work we do truly matters.
Listen to the Episode: Gut + Science 255: Courageous Leadership with Ryan Berman
Key Takeaways:
- Courage Requires Knowledge, Faith, and Action – True courage in leadership isn’t just about making bold moves; it’s about making informed decisions, having faith in your vision, and taking action.
- Fear is the Biggest Barrier to Progress – Fear stifles innovation and prevents growth, but leaders who embrace courage set the tone for their teams to do the same.
- Mindset is as Important as Skillset – While goal-setting and skills are crucial, leaders must also cultivate a mindset that embraces challenges and uncertainty.
- Courage Acts as Regret Insurance – Leaders who take bold steps reduce the chances of looking back with regret, knowing they pursued meaningful opportunities.
- Believership is Essential for Strong Leadership – Leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about creating a culture where people genuinely believe in the mission and take ownership of their role in it.
Things to listen for:
[00:00:00] Inquiry about company, love for tagline, courageous leadership.
[00:05:52] An inspiring journey towards big audacious goals.
[00:06:36] Overcoming obstacles to take courageous action.
[00:12:19] Book writing for mindset and leadership planning.
[00:14:41] Prioritizing culture creates a strong, resilient team.
[00:18:22] Trusting in the right people brings peace.
[00:21:28] Carpman’s drama triangle and the dangers of posturing.
[00:22:35] Pretending to be a CEO at work.
[00:26:47] Courage needs clarity for effective action.
[00:29:28] Honored to write memoir about Landon Donovan.
[00:32:38] Thankful for the show, encourages sharing courage.
[00:35:49] Prioritize building courage, knowledge, and leadership. Unstoppable.
