Courage is our company’s Key Value.
In summary, we have chosen Courage for our Key Value because:
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Courage enables Self-Knowledge and
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When it is backed by Courage, Self-Knowledge can be the foundation of most, if not all, other major values, traits, qualities, and attributes that contribute to character.
If our personal value systems are like dominoes then Courage must be the first domino of desirable character. When it comes to personal character, no other domino can take the place of Courage.
Dominoes fall in sequence…
Courage
Self-Knowledge
Self-Confidence
That domino sequence was simplified…in practice, it would be a more complicated sequence:
Courage
Self-Knowledge
Self-Education
Self-Confidence
Here I mean ‘Self-Education’ in its broadest sense. It includes other dominoes like introspection and [if we want it to] autosuggestion [self-talk]. The main point is, when Courage is present Self-Confidence can grow. If we remove Courage then Self-Confidence cannot grow. Courage enables Self-Confidence. With dedication, Self-Confidence can be self-taught. Coaches can help us understand the dominoes but they cannot give them to us. We have to create our own dominoes and we have to use them regularly.
The process of developing Self-Confidence only works if it is backed by Courage.
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Self-Confidence is a ‘great enabler’.
Courage is the ‘great enabler’.
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We may have different views about the routes the dominoes of personal character take.
But, we should agree Courage enables some very-positive things…
Action
Decisiveness
Enthusiasm
Faith
Hope
Inspiration
Leadership1
Optimism
Persistence
Self-Confidence
Self-Knowledge
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Considering all these dominoes linked to Courage, it is easy to see...
Courage enables Conviction
Courage enables Creativity
Courage enables positive Change
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Footnote: (1) In his 1937 classic, ‘Think and Grow Rich’, Napoleon Hill selected ‘Unwavering Courage” as the #1 attribute of Leadership.
revisited - the article originally posted May 10, 2008 [this post contains a few enhancements]
Reader comments (4)
Comments from the original blog platform, 2008–2021.
rick baker ·
"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts." John Wooden - Basketball Coach UCLA (1910-2010)
rick baker ·
"Love and reason alone can take care of man, so far as his own efforts are concerned. In properly blended proportions these constitute the very life of courage." Frank Channing Haddock 'The Culture of Courage', (1917 - 42nd Edition)
rick baker ·
“It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more 'manhood' to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.” Alex Karras American Football Player, Wrestler, & Actor, (1935-2012)
rick baker ·
"Leaders are the ones who have the courage to go first, to put themselves at personal risk to open a path for others to follow." Simon Sinek April 6, 2016