Where is the moral courage?

Courage is essential for good leadership; without some measure of courage, we will not try out new ideas, explore strange new worlds, address difficulties in our relationships, or seek to improve our character. In today’s world - candidly, in any world that humankind has encountered - we desperately need people who are willing to place themselves at some level of risk in order to create better ways and a better life for us all.

A moral element is essential. Otherwise, all we are left with is reckless bravado; a self-serving, posturing, aggressive stance that panders to ego rather than the good of the company, community and society.

Practically everyone intends to do the right thing. ‘Integrity’ is to be found in the published values of many organisations. Yet, when under pressure, the guidelines can become blurred, good intentions are set aside and blind eyes are turned for the sake of expediency. Fear has a way of clouding our judgement. In our work, we encounter these worries frequently:

• Loss of personal reputation, especially in talkative communities and communities that over-value status and position.  

• Loss of financial security, especially when moving from a well-paying corporate environment to something more akin to a startup. 

• Loss of status in a business. Challenging an aggressive colleague or an abusive client can result in negative comeback.

It takes moral courage to do what’s right when faced with these and other pressures. If there is no potential risk or consequence, there is no courage.

Strengthening in courage

What can help us to exercise true courage?

1. Do the right thing

There are universally accepted ideas as to what the ‘right thing’ is. Dr Matthew Anderson, Executive Fellow at the University of Aberdeen, summarises well:

‘What we regard as morality is pretty consistent: that is, be of good character and ethically virtuous, upholding truth and justice, through kindness, honour, integrity, magnanimity and defending the weak and powerless.’

If we allow ourselves to reflect honestly on the situations we encounter, we will know deep down the right, moral course of action. Pushing our personal desires down and making them subservient to those of our people - our colleagues, customers and community - gives us a chance to act with moral courage.  

2. Be clear about what truly matters  

Too many leaders are preoccupied with today’s immediate needs, so much so that they forget the point of the organisation they are leading. Some even sacrifice the qualities that make us truly human and trustworthy - care, compassion, creativity, integrity, wisdom - in the pursuit of targets that don’t, in the grand scheme of things, matter at all.

3. Set some stretching goals

Like any muscle, courage needs frequent exercise. We can’t live off past successes and call that courage. Setting objectives that will stretch us and our teams is essential if we are to continue to lead with courage.

4. Make yourself uncomfortable

Placing ourselves in uncomfortable situations can provide us with the motivation we need to pursue a courageous life. Some examples include:

• Be transparent about your hopes and aims, even though you may feel that you might be criticised later if those aims are not achieved.  

• Apologise to someone that you’ve let down.   

• Hand over the responsibility for something important to someone else. 

• Publicly speak at an external event.  

• Get to the shop floor (or equivalent) and spend time with those on the front line doing what they do.  

• Ask for help, a testimonial, a referral.

Make this the year that we intentionally weave moral courage into our lives and leadership. Who knows what could happen when we do!