2040's Ideas and Innovations Newsletter, Issue 55: Leading with Courage Redux
When we published the Leading with Courage newsletter last Fall, we were still emerging from the worst of the pandemic, slightly dazed and confused. We were facing a perfect storm that tested our resolve and creativity in leading our way to the future. Today, the entire world has seemingly collectively recognized the face of courage in the Ukrainian people and their leader, Volodymyr Zelensky. The Wall Street Journal states, “Zelensky defines courage in our time. His words and personal courage have stirred the world to action. Whatever fate awaits him and his nation, those who watched Mr. Zelensky’s address to the joint congressional session won’t soon forget it. It was a privilege to see a leader in whom honor is personified.”
An uninvited war has enormous collateral consequences and unanticipated escalating costs – both in resources and human beings. Our thoughts on courage take on new meaning in the context of Zalensky’s very public role in living every day with grace under pressure. We invite you to reread our article with the vision of what it takes to step up and step into living courageously, both personally and professionally. Yes, courage has its costs, but in a divisive society, disruptive marketplace, and dysfunctional public discourse, we need courage more than ever.