Why Courage is Your Most Essential Carry-On
We pack meticulously for business trips – laptops, chargers, presentation materials. But the most crucial item isn't physical. It's courage.
What Happens When We Leave Courage Behind
I discovered this the hard way during my transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. For years, I'd built my identity around corporate titles and structures. When those disappeared, I felt exposed, vulnerable – like standing in an airport without identification.
Many high-achieving professionals experience this same vulnerability during major transitions:
Moving from specialist to leader
Shifting industries after building expertise
Returning to work after significant absence
Taking on a role that feels beyond your capabilities
Packing Courage First
Courage isn't about eliminating fear. It's about acknowledging fear and proceeding anyway. During my own career pivot, I developed specific practices that helped me access courage when uncertainty loomed largest:
Recognize fear as navigation data, not a stop sign. When fear surfaces, treat it as information about what matters to you, not a command to retreat.
Create courage rituals: Simple practices – deep breathing, power poses, meaningful mantras – can activate courage when you need it most.
Cultivate a courage community Surround yourself with people who remind you of your capabilities when you temporarily forget.
Conclusion
The most rewarding destinations in our careers and lives often require traveling through territories marked "unknown" on our maps. When the path isn't clear, when familiar resources aren't available, courage becomes our most reliable resource.
To dive deeper into courageous leadership and create lasting impact, explore my keynote, "Courage as a Carry-On."
