The Courage Audit
A Self-Reflection Exercise
Most leaders have a short list of things they know they should do but haven't.
Not because they don't care, and not because they don't know what's needed. But because courage is a muscle, and like any muscle, it needs to be exercised intentionally. This exercise helps you name what you've been avoiding and take one clear, courageous step forward.
Time Required: 20 minutes
Materials: Pen and paper, journal, or a blank document
Step 1: Take Stock of What You're Avoiding (5 minutes)
Think broadly. Courage shows up in many forms in leadership. Hard conversations, unpopular decisions, public commitment, and honest self-assessment.
Write down your responses to the following:
What conversation have I been putting off? Who is it with, and what makes it feel difficult?
What decision am I sitting on? What is making me hesitant to commit?
What risk or new direction have I been considering but haven't acted on? What would it mean to say yes?
Where am I holding back my real perspective? in a meeting, with my team, or with a stakeholder?
Note: You don't need to answer all four prompts. Start with the one that creates the most immediate reaction. That discomfort is a signal worth paying attention to.
Step 2: Get Honest About What's Holding You Back (5 minutes)
For the item that feels most significant, explore what is really keeping you from acting. Understanding the source of your hesitation is the first step to moving through it.
Reflect on the following:
Am I afraid of a specific outcome? What is it?
Am I waiting for more information, more certainty, or the "right" moment?
Am I concerned about how others will react or what they will think?
Is there a story I'm telling myself about what will happen that may not be accurate?
Step 3: Identify the Courageous Move (5 minutes)
Now name the thing. Specificity matters here. A vague intention is easy to delay. A concrete commitment is much harder to ignore.
Complete the following sentences:
The courageous move I've been avoiding is…
Taking this step matters because…
The person or people who need to be part of this are…
The first concrete action I will take is… and I will do it by [specific date].
Step 4: Prepare and Commit (5 minutes)
Courage rarely just happens. It is usually the result of a little preparation and a clear decision to act. Use this final step to set yourself up for follow-through.
Ask yourself:
What do I need to know, clarify, or prepare before I take this step?
What could get in the way, and how will I handle it if it does?
Who could I share this commitment with to create accountability?
What is my first next step?
Final Thought
One of the most powerful things you can do as a leader is model what courage looks like. When the people around you see you having the difficult conversation, making the bold call, or admitting what you don't know, they learn that they can do the same.
You don't have to have it all figured out before you act. You just have to take the next step.