On Courage and Leadership: Braving the Storm Ahead

They say that courage is one of the most important qualities of any good leader - the courage to stand up to any challenge put forward by the future, either by circumstance or by an opposing party; the courage to own up mistakes committed and to accept the consequences that are bound to ensue; and the courage to rise again against such tremendous adversity, no matter how many times one falls down.

Indeed, courage is a quality hard to come by. But, it is, at the same time, a quality any would-be leader should possess, nonetheless.

However, courage is not to be mistaken for simple arrogance or reckless overconfidence. It should not be taken as a complete rejection of the notion of fear or the value of vigilance. After all, to be brave when the will commands fear, is a far cry from being haughty when the times call for caution. They are two different things. One speaks of virtue and leads to success no matter what. The other, of incompetence; and sets the stage for failure, every time, all the time.

This is because inasmuch as courage proves to be useful in times of dire need, fear has likewise proven to be of great use to many, once its powers are properly harnessed and channeled to the right direction. For one, it enables a person to foresee future scenarios. It also lends credence to the value of planning, to avoid rash decisions, to minimize risk, to better the odds. To see to it that courage, once invoked, is not put to waste; and the efforts that go with it, are not for naught.

What profits a man if he braves the storms without thought of fear, and yet loses himself in the process? Nothing. No one follows a reckless man. He is but trouble and commands no respect.

But a person who keeps his courage and fears in check is always bound to take the proper path. And whether that way leads to death, triumph or both, it matters not. People will follow after him. No matter the consequences. Rewards, by that time, will have meant nothing. For, by that time, the matter has already been won by courage, in spite of fear, above all else.