LEADERSHIP
March,2 Friday 2007

Conversations About Courage (2/3)
Foremost business experts share their ideas about this key leadership asset

Can you prepare to be courageous?

The number-one way to prepare for future tough moments is to do what the military calls an "after-action review." Do it routinely, not only [for] your operation but for you personally.I've spoken with entrepreneurs who routinely sit down at the end of their week and look at the decisions they've made. They get rid of all other distractions and review what they did, what they might have done differently, and what lessons came out of that, for future reference.

The second thing to do is to put yourself in situations that get you out of your comfort zone. The more you can force yourself to do things 30 percent different from what you've already done, again and again, the better you'll stretch under huge duress.*

--- Michael Useem, Director, Center for leadership and Change Management, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Can a leader fake courage?
In a period of distress, your own outward display of courage is absolutely vital. The lack of it is going to unwind a lot of people around you.

But you can't fake anything in a leadership position. People sense it. In about eight seconds, everyone knows it. And therefore your credibility* is about zero.

Confidence and optimism are essential. It's not faking it. It's remaining optimistic through the most trying times, even when it looks pretty dark.
--- Michael Useem

How do values relate to courage?
When you have to make a fast decision with significant stakes*, you'd better know what you stand for, because the temptation* to violate* your basic commitments in life can be large because of the stress of the moment.
--- Michael Useem

Vocabulary Focus

comfort zone (n phr)--- an environment, situation or a set of boundaries in which an individual feels secure or at ease
duress (n)--- pressure used to force a person to do something
credibility (n)--- the degree to which someone can be believed or trusted
stake (n)--- a share in something
temptation (n)--- the desire to do or have something which you know you should not do or have
violate (v)--- to break or act against something, especially a law, agreement, principle or something that should be treated with respect