The 21 Laws of Leadership: How to Develop the Qualities of a Leader

Chapter 8 Courage: Courage Makes You Superior to Most

Courage
The most important virtue of human beings is courage, because only with courage can one be qualified to talk about other qualities.

—Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Courage is the strength that comes from praying in fear.

—Karl Bass, Swiss theologian

The brave among the brave

What do the following three people have in common?The racer who drove the Daytona car to create the world speed record in 1914; maintained the ace pilot who shot down the most German fighter planes in World War I; used a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean because of the plane crash in World War II Adviser to the Allied Commander drifting for 22 days.They've all been through dangerous situations, they've all shown a will of steel, and it just so happens that it all happened to the same guy, Eddie Rickenbacker.

Rising to the challenge, whether physically, mentally or financially, was no big deal for Eddie Rickenbacker.When Eddie was a little boy, his father tragically passed away.Eddie had to drop out of school to work in other places to earn money to support his family.In addition to delivering newspapers, selling eggs and milking goats, he also worked in glass factories, wineries, shoe factories and foundries.When he was less than 20 years old, he learned to be a mechanic in the racing track, and at the age of 22, he started to participate in professional racing.Two years later, he set a world racing record.

When the United States entered World War I, Rickenbacker wanted to join the Air Force, but he was past the maximum age for enlistment in the Air Force and did not have enough education.So he became a driver in the army and took the opportunity to persuade his superiors to send him to participate in flight training.Although the pilots who went to training with him all went to college, Rickenbacker was no less inferior to them in flying the plane.By the end of World War I, he had logged 300 flight hours, a wartime high.He had 134 consecutive air encounters without being shot down, shot down 26 enemy planes, and won the Medal of Honor, including 8 Distinguished Service Medals, and the French Elite Medal of Honor.He was promoted to captain and served as squadron leader.

Rickenbacker earned the nickname "the bravest of the bravest of the U.S. Air Force" for his heroic performance in air combat.When asked about his heroism in aerial combat, he admitted that he had been afraid, saying: "Being brave is doing what you're afraid of. If you haven't been afraid, you don't know what it means to be brave." His boldness made Rickenbacker reused after the war. In 1932, he was hired as vice president of American Eastern Airlines.At that time, the airline industry generally accepted government subsidies to survive, but Rickenbaker decided that they should be self-financing and decided to completely change the way the company operated.Within two years, he had turned Eastern into profitability and set an airline industry record for revenue.When the President of the United States ordered the cancellation of all contracts to carry mail by air, Rickenbaker fought and won.He led Eastern Airlines for 30 years and did not retire until he was 73 years old.When he died 10 years later, his son William wrote: "If he had but one motto that he lived by all his life, it would be the one I have heard him say a thousand times: 'I will fight to the death'."

what is bravery

Looking back on Rickenbacker's life, you will be fascinated by its great courage.Such great courage is often found in combat heroes, but in fact every great business elite, government leader or religious leader also has this kind of courage.

If you find an organization making significant progress, their leaders must have made courageous decisions.Leadership does not bring courage, but courage often brings leadership.This is reflected in Eddie Rickenbacker.

Larry Osborne pointed out through observation: "Effective leaders almost have their own unique characteristics, that is to say, their views are rarely the same. What one person believes deeply is often another person's deep vigilance. .There is only one thing in common among them, and that is a willingness to take risks.”

When you're faced with tough choices, remember the following guidelines for bravery.

1. Courage begins with an inner struggle
Every test you face as a leader begins within you, and so does a test of courage.As the psychiatrist Sheldon Karp said: "All the most powerful battles are fought from the heart of everyone." Bravery does not mean being without fear, but doing what you are afraid of.Courageous people have the ability to let go of the familiar and venture into new territory.That's what Rickenbacker embodies, and you can do it too.

2. Courageously pursue the truth, not superficial security

Martin Luther King, the black American leader, once said: "The ultimate test of a person is not in a comfortable and convenient environment, but in a difficult and chaotic environment." Great leaders have good interpersonal skills. Networking skills, and they can bring people together and struggle together.They will stand their ground and never compromise.

Courage is based on principles, not personal opinions.You'll never be an effective leader if you can't judge when it's time to stand up and stand up for what you believe in.Your focus on tapping your potential must outweigh your desire to settle.

3. Bravery can inspire followers to follow with all their strength

"Braveness is contagious." Billy Graham, a famous evangelist, said, "If a brave man can stand his ground, others will follow him. "When one person embodies courage, others are inspired by it.If a leader demonstrates bravery, it can inspire teammates more and make them more willing to follow.My friend Jim Morado explains it this way: “Leadership is about being brave and pushing people to do the right thing.”

4. The breadth of life is directly proportional to courage
Fear often limits leaders.The Roman historian Tacitus once wrote: "The desire for security is the stumbling block to every great and noble enterprise." But a brave heart is just the opposite, it can open the door of opportunity to great causes.That's why the British theologian Henry Newman said: "It is not that your life will die, but that it has never begun." Courage not only gives you a good start, but also a good future.

Ironically, those who don't take risks experience as much fear in their lives as those who do.The only difference is that risk-averse people worry about trivial things.Fear and confusion always have to be faced, why not make your experience more valuable?

Self-reflection: What's holding you back from being brave
President Roosevelt's wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, once said: "Every time you stop and face your fear, you gain strength, courage and confidence. You have the ability to say to yourself, 'I can overcome this fear and go on. Go on.' You have to do what you don't think you can do."

How do you deal with fear?Are you embracing your fear, or are you going in circles in your life?Or, have you withdrawn to safety and have no fear at all?What changes do you need to make to improve your courage?

A "Prescription" to Boost Your Courage

Here are three things to help boost your courage.

1. Do something risky

Face difficulties and do things that you would not normally dare to try to increase your courage, such as: skydiving, public speaking (many people are afraid of this), performing a play, rafting, rock climbing.What matters is not what you do, but where you face your real fears.

2. Talk to people with whom you have conflicts

Many people avoid conflicts with others in their lives, such as their own subordinates, relatives or colleagues.If you happen to have a conflict with someone, try to have a chat with him this week.Don't trouble him or scold him, but tell him the truth with love.If you've tried skydiving or whitewater, you won't be afraid to do it.

3. Take a big step
You may have been afraid to make changes about your work.But if you know that you should change jobs or start your own business, you should have the courage to try.Take a moment to think about this, maybe with your spouse, a mentor, or a close friend or two.If it's a good thing, don't hesitate.

Courage brings unexpected results

In the 19th century there was an orator named Peter Carlette.One Sunday, when he was about to give a speech, someone told him that President Andrew Jackson was also in the audience, and told him not to hold back his words.However, during the sermon, he said: "I was told today that President Jackson was also in the audience, and told me not to speak out. And I want to say that if Andrew Jackson does not admit that he is as guilty of original sin as the world, then he Go to hell too."

After the speech, Jackson strode up to Carlette and said: "Sir, if I have a group of people like you following me, I can conquer the world." Actions inspired by courage often bring unexpected positive results.

(End of this chapter)