Simon Said It…So It Must Be True: Why Courage is Non-Negotiable Today

by Jelisa Dallas

Recently, I listened to an interview with Simon Sinek, Optimist, Author, and founder of The Optimism Company. Midway through the conversation (timestamp 28:17 for my fellow note-takers), he was asked a question that made me pause:

“What three characteristics make a great leader?”

Without hesitation, Simon’s first answer?
Courage.

“To speak truth to power, to be honest and open about my own failings, to tell someone something you know will hurt their feelings…” Simon explained.

If Simon said it, it must be true, right?

But here’s where it got interesting…

Simon doesn’t believe courage is some mystical, buried treasure of “deep internal fortitude.” Instead, he describes courage as social, something influenced and nurtured by our environment, our relationships, and the communities we create.

He rounded out the trio of great leadership traits with integrity, which he believes fuels courage, and the ability to master communication, to listen in ways people feel heard, and speak in ways people actually hear.

As I heard his words, I couldn’t help but smile.
Why? Because this is exactly why Go Brave exists.

Courage Isn’t a Buzzword — It’s the Lifeline

In April 2020, right as the world stood still during the pandemic, Go Brave was etched into my heart. It wasn’t a marketing slogan or catchy phrase, it was a personal conviction.

Five years later, the world feels even more unpredictable. But one thing remains certain:

We need courage now more than ever.

But let’s unpack that…

What IS courage, really?

Search Google, and Oxford Dictionary will tell you it’s:

  • “The ability to do something that frightens one.”

  • “Strength in the face of pain or grief.”

But go deeper, to the root.

In Latin, cor means heart, making courage not just an act, but an expression of what lives in the deepest part of us.

Don and Katie Fortune, authors of Discover Your God-Given Gifts, explain that the heart is one of three parts of the soul, alongside the mind and will, where our motivations, gifts, and purpose are found.

Translation? Courage lives in all of us. But it must be cultivated.

Your Why is the Soil — Courage is What Grows

Courage grows through your why, your personal promise to yourself and the commitment you make to others.

For me, my why is crystal clear:

I promised to be the lived experience of my own soul work so I can empower others to achieve their transformation.

That promise birthed Go Brave, and it’s what fuels every keynote, workshop, book, and training we offer.

Here’s the truth: courage isn’t always flashy. Sometimes, it looks like risking vulnerability. Sometimes, it means confronting your comfort zone (independence, pride, fear) and choosing to love again, to believe again, to lead again.

As Brian Moran and Michael Lennington put it in The 12 Week Year:

“Vision, [a powerful reason why], provides you with a line of sight, an emotional link, to help you overcome challenges and execute.”

In other words: courage connects what matters most to you with the boldness to act, even when it doesn’t make sense.

What is Courage Requiring of You?

Is it speaking hard truths?
Letting go of self-doubt?
Taking a leap in your personal or professional life?

Whatever it is, know this:

We’ve got you covered at Go Brave.

It’s time to equip your courage, not just admire it from afar.

Here’s how we help you:

Need something tailored? Whether you’re an independent leader or guiding a team — we offer:

  • Custom Keynotes
  • In-Person Trainings
  • Virtual Workshops

Your next brave move starts with a simple conversation.

Explore our services or book a complimentary needs assessment at info@gobravellc.com.

Simon said it. But you have to live it.

And together, we can Go Brave.

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