What They Don’t Tell You About Bravery: It Requires Fear
If you’re waiting to stop feeling afraid before doing the brave thing, you’ll be waiting forever.
Here’s the truth: Bravery isn’t the absence of fear - it requires it. No fear? No bravery. That’s just action.
That knot in your stomach? The pounding heart? It’s not a sign to stop. It’s a signal you’re standing at the edge of your growth.
And for today’s leaders, that edge is exactly where you need to be.
The Neuroscience Behind Small Brave Moves®
Your brain is wired for safety, not bravery. But every time you act with courage, especially when it’s uncomfortable, you create new neural pathways that make it easier next time.
That’s why I created the Small Brave Moves® framework. They’re daily reps that train your brain to handle the big stuff.
Start small. Start scared.
Try things like:
Speaking up instead of staying silent
Asking the hard question in a meeting
Saying no to protect your time
Giving honest feedback
Making the call you’ve been avoiding
Setting a new rule for how you work or lead
These micro-brave moments prepare you for the big ones:
Changing careers
Launching something new
Stepping into the spotlight
Tackling team dysfunction
Advocating when it’s unpopular
Leading with integrity under pressure
You don’t summit the mountain without training on the hills.
Fear Isn’t the Enemy, Avoiding It Is
Most people think bravery means having no fear. But real leaders know better.
Fear isn’t the enemy - it’s the flashlight. It points to the place you’re meant to grow.
The problem? Many leaders believe they need confidence before they act. But confidence is built through action, not before it.
Avoid fear, and you stall your growth. Move with fear, and you unlock it.
Brave leaders don’t dodge fear - they seek it out as evidence they’re doing meaningful work.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
In the words of Forbes: the single biggest thing that distinguishes high‑performing teams isn’t intelligence or experience, it’s courage.
A McKinsey survey found 86% of executives say fear of conflict or failure holds back their team’s effectiveness, even when they have the right people and information in the room.
Translation? Today's workplace is missing brave leadership.
When fear runs the show:
Conflict festers
Feedback vanishes
Psychological safety drops
Innovation stalls
Culture crumbles
But when bravery becomes the norm:
Hard conversations happen earlier, and more often
Trust strengthens
Teams align faster
Ideas flow
Growth accelerates
People lead themselves
In a world craving honesty, clarity, and connection, bravery isn’t optional.
It’s not about being fearless. It’s about recognizing fear and moving anyway.
So… What’s Your Next Small Brave Move?
Where are you feeling fear today?
What would it look like to move with it instead of around it?
What micro act of bravery could you take that might shift everything?
Because leadership isn’t about avoiding fear, it’s about following it to become the next version of you.
When bravery becomes a cultural norm, people feel safe to grow.
Let’s lead from that place.