Page 16 - Fearless Leadership
P. 16

Chapter

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                     What It Means to Be a


                             Fearless Leader






                            The price of greatness is responsibility.
                                —WINSTON CHURCHILL (1874–1965)








                  e need fearless leaders. Not one, but many. In times of chaos and
             Wuncertainty, as well as in good times, we need leaders who take a
             bold stand, act decisively, and engage with others in an extraordinary way.
               You have two choices in front of you. One path is comfortable, safe,
             and familiar; the goal is to improve something you are already doing or
             fine-tune your blueprint for success. People are content with your deci-
             sion to make incremental changes because it only requires modest effort
             from them.
               The second choice compels you to move in a new direction and cre-
             ate a new reality. Even though this new direction requires additional effort,
             people are inspired by your courage to take a bold stand and act decisively.
             They willingly give you their energy, enthusiasm, and emotional com-
             mitment. This second choice requires fearless leadership—the courage
             to risk what is safe and comfortable to achieve a much higher level of
             success.
               You have the power to shape the future. This is not in question. But do
             you have the courage to take a bold stand and transform the capacity and
             capability of people and the organization to achieve much more?



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