Cobalt Red

Posts and Provocations

  • Courage and fear

    Courage is recognising what is frightening.

    It is not the absence of fear.

    If it was a cartoon one character would be grabbing the other by the shoulders and giving them a good shake.

    Questions about ‘what could go wrong’ is a good start. Then planning how to minimise those bumps in the road starts to fill the courage reservoir.

    We often wait to feel brave before we act.

    But what if courage isn’t a feeling at all?

    It is a choice – made in the presence of fear, not its absence.

    In my work with leaders – especially women navigating change – I often hear:

    “I don’t feel courageous.”

    ‘’I don’t feel that brave’’

    “I’m afraid I’ll fail.”

    Here’s the truth:

    Fear doesn’t mean you’re not ready.

    It means you’re human.

    And courage? It’s layered. It’s quiet. It’s choosing to move forward anyway. Yes, it takes guts and determination but what is the alternative?

    Would you really be satisfied to never have that buzz, the high of doing something that scared you – but you did it anyway. And – guess what – the courage reservoir starts to fill.

    Not because you’re fearless.

    But because something deeper – your purpose, your values, your voice – matters more.

  • This is not semantics.

    Having presence is not the same as being present.

    You can be in the room and still not show up.

    You can speak and still not be heard.

    You can lead and still don’t have the impact you want.

    I see it often—leaders navigating change, transitions, new chapters. They’re visible, yes, but something’s missing. The spark. The conviction. The why. Their presence.

    Presence isn’t about being busy or booked.

    It’s about being intentional.

    It’s about showing up with your values intact.

    Some things I ask in coaching conversations:

    •      What are you holding back that needs to be said?

    • Where are you showing up out of habit, not purpose?

    •      What would shift if you led from alignment, not obligation?

    • What do you need to do today that if you don’t do it, you will regret it in 6 months?

    Leadership isn’t about noise.

    It’s about clarity. And sometimes, the quietest voice is the one that changes everything

  • How would you define courage?

    The Chambers dictionary definition of courage is

    The quality that enables people to meet danger without giving way to fear

    My definition would be

    Saying yes to something with no clear idea of how you will do it

    Doing something that you had never considered before

    Not being afraid to fail, because you know you won’t

    On our recent adventure in Botswana, we came across a lioness who was, singlehandedly, raising 8 cubs. Her sisters were killed when the babies were about 3 months old. Not only did she lose her sisters, but she also lost an eye and has a deep gash in her face still.

    So, in addition to her own twins, she suckled all 8. The cubs are now 6 months old and thriving- look at the photos.

    She represents all the elements of my definition.

    So what, what is the relevance for us at work?

    Take another look at my definitions and ask yourself did you rise to the challenges at work and if you did how did you celebrate your courage?