Have you ever been in the presence of someone truly brave?

For some folks, “brave” conjures an image of someone powerful and commanding.

When that person pounds their fist on the table, they bring the entire room to silence.

Brave Heroes

Others picture a dramatic, defining moment. And those moments matter.

Did you see the video of the Italian man trapped in his vehicle as it submerged in a river this year? If so, I bet you’d join me in calling the Albanian man who dove into the water and rescued him “Brave.”

Brave – Take 3

Todd Henry gives us a third take in his book “The Brave Habit.”

Todd defines Bravery as disciplined, consistent action. It isn’t just the moment you stand up in a meeting to defend an idea everyone else opposes. It’s the hundreds of small actions that prepare you for that moment:

• using your voice in smaller settings
• testing ideas
• even validating your own thoughts in a private journal.

When was Gerta “Brave”?

For about a year, I worked with a CEO that I’ll call Gerta. Gerta took over from a toxic leader. For years, Gerta had seen the impact of the former CEO’s gossip, blaming, name calling, elevating one employee to make another look bad (with the idea this would motivate higher performance).

When Gerta took over, she didn’t blame problems in the organization on her predecessor. She simply cast her vision, provided support, and led by example.

So when was Gerta most brave?

Is it in what happened Day 1 when Gerta became the new CEO?

Or is it what Gerta did every day for the years leading up to that moment?

When are you Brave?

Have you begun the process Todd talks about?

What small, brave actions should you take today to prepare for tomorrow’s big challenge? 

You’ll have to read The Brave Habit to find out.