Growing in Courage

Growth in Courage is the result of my conviction that leaders, including myself, become fearful of acting, even when we must. The PowerPoint artifact becomes evidence of taking information beyond the course and working to apply it to a leader attribute. My presentation can be listened to by those interested. The paper that is mentioned in the conclusion of the PPT offers support that I believe is necessary for leaders to recognize. We do not become or remain leaders without the support of others. A note of Slide 3 is “Clearly, the courage to act grows as the leader matures in their self-efficacy. Just be careful. Courage and foolery, courage and fear, courage and unbridled power, all point to the difficulty of courage balance.”

Slide 5 contains imagery and these statements, “As leaders, there is a need to establish in one’s mind to act with the inner conviction which comes from time spent in introspection carefully examining the issue. The leader predetermines that he or she will act and not hold back when the time is necessary.” “It [courage] also is developed as a Christian steward leader in an understanding that the ultimate One who is in charge has given us the force of dynamite, controlled by love and a focused mind, to act courageously. 2 Timothy 1:7 becomes a foundation of courage for me and one I encourage others to memorize. “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power/ courage (dunamis), and of love, and a sound mind.” And the command to be strong and courageous given to Joshua as he became the second leader after Moses in difficult times applies to us as Christian stewards. Not only do we have an inner conviction and predetermination having faced (by at least working through) the five fears, we are assured that God is with us through it all. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1: 9b).”

In the concluding slide, I also note, “courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is an inner conviction that enables one to act with dignity for a righteous cause despite fear, adversity, and an uncertain outcome.”

DEL Program Outcomes 1, 2, 5, and 6 and DEL Leadership Competencies

I select this as an artifact to share how I took an element of leadership and expanded it into a shareable and important item for many people. In the belief that leadership traits are available to be exercised by nearly all persons, this presentation developed a way to seize and share (DEL Program Outcome 2) research (DEL Program Outcome 5) from an academic to a practical way that includes legacy writings (DEL Program Outcome 6) presented in a way for others to learn and grow in their leadership.

The personal challenges I continue to face in the work environment my profession exists in, tie this artifact of DEL schooling into a reality that DEL Program 1 alludes to in effectively shaping new products and service opportunities. The writing and presentation are available to other to understand and develop this essential executive leadership quality. The DEL Leadership Competencies include courage as one of the eight personal "Leading Self with Character." "Developing others' capacity" is another leadership competency the DEL program is designed to accomplish as we continue through it. Each of these are evident in the scholastic writing and presentation designed to encourage and share how executive leaders can achieve internal and external results (as Leading for Results mentions).