Lean Quote: Courage Emboldens You to Try New Ideas

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Winston Churchill said, “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.”

All men and women of great accomplishments have possessed this supreme character trait. Fear does not make on a coward; failure to face fear does. The courageous achievers in every generation have confronted challenges and overcome obstacles even when they were afraid. Courage enables you to speak up when it would be easier to remain silent. We call this having the courage of your convictions. Courage emboldens you to try new ideas when you risk failure. Courage inspires you to pursue your dreams even when you risk disappointment.

However, courage never exists in a vacuum. People are not courageous for the sake of courage. They’re courageous because they are committed to a cause. Men and women are willing to die in combat because they believe in protecting their fellow soldiers, their freedoms, their country, and their families. Martyrs throughout centuries have died for their faith. Men and women of integrity are honest even when it’s not financially expedient because they’re committed to their values.

Are you courageous? Are you willing to take risks for something you believe in? Are you ready to endure hardship for the sake of a cause? Are you able to make sacrifices for the sake of your values?

Courage is not inherited. You must develop it by living a purposeful life committed to deeply held values and meaningful goals. You must strengthen it by repeatedly choosing to confront your fears. As you set goals and strive to achieve them in all areas of your personal and business life – as you face your daily challenges with positive actions – your courage and confidence will grow. When you believe in yourself, others will rally to your cause. Courage will imbues you with a leadership quality that your team will support and respect.