Are You A Courageous Leader?

In order to gain influence, you have to be willing to show your strengths. Step up and stand out. Be confident in who you are. If you want to be great at what you do, you have to be comfortable with who you are. If you don’t value yourself, you will never see value in what you do, and others won’t see the value in you.

“If you want to be great at what you do, you have to be comfortable with who you are.”

Showing your strengths requires courage. In fact, the word courage comes from the French word Coeur, meaning “heart.” Courage comes from the heart. It takes heart to be a strengths-driven leader. For others to see your creative potential, you have to be courageous enough to put it on display. You will never reach the fullness of your capabilities if you hide your unique abilities. Fear demolishes creative power.

Many people aren’t willing to show their unique strengths because of their insecurity. The more insecure a person is, the less courage they have. Their insecurity gives way to fear. Too many people with great ideas and creative talents never share them with the world for fear of what people will think or say. The ability to use your strengths requires you to become vulnerable.

People will always have opinions about your work, but you can’t let that keep you from sharing it. What one person considers rubbish may be the gem of inspiration another person needs. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” Exercise your heart, that courage muscle, and it will continue to get stronger. As you continue to step out and flex your courage, your confidence will grow, and so will your influence.