How to Measure Courage

We measure everything these days.

  Blood pressure

  Stamina

 Bank accounts

 Interest rates

 Height/weight

 Stopping distances w/brakes

 How many smokes before health deteriorates

Some even rate their Friday night dates.

The President’s ratings have decreased from a year ago.

Retail stores measure their success in comparison to last year’s data.

And now I submit there is even a measure for courage.

I want to borrow some thoughts from Brene Brown for this segment.

“Vulnerability is not weakness. 

Vulnerability is courage.”

When we dare expose ourselves to the possibility of an outcome, we demonstrate courage.  The Olympics are just getting under way in Sochi, Russia.  No one knows before the fact that they will stand on center stage and receive the coveted Gold medal.  But they will dare to win.  They will screw their courage to the sticking place, dare to become vulnerable, and “go for the gold.”

That is courage.

Brene Brown says this:  “Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.”

We become vulnerable in a thousand ways.

  -Someone writes a book or blog

  -Someone says “I love you” after the 3^rd date

  -Someone asks for more challenges at work and prove their stuff

  -A salesperson asks for the sale

  -A student tries out for the lead in the play

  -A walk-on in basketball goes against the big boys

  

Brene says “vulnerability is the birthplace for innovation, creativity and change.

Microsoft has appointed a new CEO.  The consensus is that they have lost market share and there is a great desire to reposition themselves once again as the market leader they were perceived to be a few years ago.

Sata Nadella, the new Microsoft CEO, is going to need to demonstrate huge amounts of courage if he fulfills his mission objectives.  The world will be watching for his mandates, his product launches and his management changes.

There is no doubt that he will be vulnerable.  And there is a high likelihood that he will demonstrate courage and win. 

Courage does not come with a guarantee.  It does come with vulnerability and passion. 

And remember the “belief” part.  We believe in our dreams and we dare to become vulnerable.

On the other side of vulnerable might lay the golden ring. 

Have courage.  You’ll never know unless you try.

P Michael Biggs

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