Courage One Of The ‘Six’ Gritty Leadership Traits.

Leaders constantly search for that elusive quality that separates high performers. Enter the gritty leadership trait of Courage, a powerful trait that can revolutionise your leadership approach and drive your team towards unprecedented success.

The Three Pillars of Courage in Grit

1. Seeking Help: There’s Strength in Vulnerability

Remember when you were a child, unafraid to ask for help? That openness is a superpower in the business world. Research shows that leaders who seek help create a culture of psychological safety, fostering innovation and problem-solving.

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel

Next time you’re stuck, play with using this phase,

“I could use some fresh perspectives on this. What are your thoughts?”

You’ll be amazed at the doors it opens.

2. Facing Failure: The Catalyst for Growth

Failure isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of something extraordinary. Carol Dweck’s studies on growth mindset show that individuals who view failure as a learning opportunity outperform those who see it as a reflection of their abilities.

When James Dyson created 5,126 failed prototypes before inventing his revolutionary vacuum cleaner, he wasn’t failing – he was learning 5,126 ways that didn’t work.

3. Learning to Let Go: The Art of Moving Forward

Holding onto past mistakes is like trying to drive with the handbrake on. Learning from experiences and then letting go is crucial for maintaining momentum in your leadership journey.

Try this simple exercise: Write down a past failure, take a moment to extract the lesson, and then physically crumple up the paper and throw it away. Feel the weight lift off your shoulders!

The Synergy of Courage with Other Grit Traits

Courage doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s the catalyst that ignites other grit traits:

  • Energy: Courage fuels the mental, physical, and emotional energy needed to tackle challenges.
  • Consistency: It takes courage to show up day after day, especially when results aren’t immediate.
  • Self-esteem: Each courageous act builds confidence, creating a positive feedback loop.
  • Passion: Courage allows you to pursue your passions, even in the face of obstacles.
  • Perseverance: The courage to keep going when others might give up is the hallmark of true grit.

The Balance: Internal Growth Meets External Action

Imagine courage as the bridge between who you are (internal traits like passion and self-esteem) and what you do (external actions like consistency and perseverance). This balance creates a sweet spot for growth – where high challenge meets high support.

Image: The balance of internal and external aspects of courage in grit

Transforming Your Leadership Style

By embracing courage in grit, you’re not embodying gritty leadership but creating an environment where everyone can thrive. You’re saying, “It’s okay to ask for help, fail, and move on.” This approach leads to:

  1. Increased innovation
  2. Higher employee engagement
  3. Improved problem-solving
  4. Enhanced team resilience

Your Next Courageous Step

Are you ready to unleash the power of courage in your gritty leadership journey? Here’s a challenge for you:

  1. Identify one area where you’ve been hesitant to seek help.
  2. Reach out to a colleague or mentor for their input.
  3. Share your experience in the comments below – your story could inspire others to take their courageous step!

Remember, true gritty leadership isn’t about never falling; it’s about courage to get back up, learn, and move forward. So, are you ready to lead with grit?

Share Your Courage Story

Let’s build a community of gritty leaders, one story at a time.


Experience the transformative power of our Gritty People leadership and team development programmes. With a unique approach, we blend experiential learning with a growth mindset to cultivate the six gritty traits in leaders.

What sets us apart

Our commitment to being different – challenging conventions and norms;

Being disruptive – driving transformative change;

Being change makers – translating theory into tangible results.

With Gritty People, you can expect outcomes that truly make a difference.

Contact us: info@grittypeople.co.uk, www.grittypeople.co.uk

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