Courage
Standing up for fundamental values, making decisions, taking decisive action, and, if need be, challenging and disrupting existing structures and views.
Micro-VCoL Exercises
Below are three exercises for developing courage. Choose one to focus on for at least a week before trying another.
Exercise 1: The Voice Despite Fear
Practice speaking up when something matters even when it feels risky, starting with smaller situations.
Practice when you have a concern but are tempted to stay silent, when you see something problematic, or when your perspective differs from the consensus.
When you notice yourself staying silent despite having something important to contribute, pause. Acknowledge the fear. Ask: "What would I say if I weren't afraid?" Then say a version of it.
Did you speak up when you felt like staying silent? What happened? Was the risk as great as it seemed? What holds you back most often from voicing important concerns?
Exercise 2: The Small Stand
Take small stands for your values in everyday situations, building the capacity for larger stands.
Practice in everyday situations where your values are implicated: when a shortcut would compromise quality, when a decision affects sustainability.
When facing a choice where the easier option compromises something you value, pause. Name what is at stake. Choose the path that aligns with your values even if it is harder.
What small stands did you take today? Were there opportunities you missed? How did it feel to act according to your values even when it was harder?
Exercise 3: The Difficult Conversation Initiation
Practice initiating conversations you have been avoiding because they feel uncomfortable or risky.
Practice when you notice yourself avoiding a conversation that needs to happen: giving difficult feedback, addressing a conflict, raising a concern with leadership.
Identify a conversation you have been avoiding. Ask: "What is the cost of continuing to avoid this?" Set a time frame for initiating it. When you initiate, be direct but kind.
What avoided conversation did you initiate? What happened? Was it as difficult as you anticipated? What would help you initiate difficult conversations sooner?