The ancient Greeks used to define courage in a certain way. It was not based on war or endeavour, but on daily life.
They believed courage was needed in greater quantities for each day, even just to get through one.
They thought that courage was needed when your resolve & hopes of sharing new ideas were challenged. When someone disagreed with you, then courage was needed to enter into a battle of ideas.
They also viewed that those who criticised or dismissed people who had different opinions to them, showed no courage at all, in fact were viewed as cowards.
Today, we have our own daily challenges & as a leader we never know what each is going to throw at us. Will it be successful? Will it be demotivating? Will we get through unscathed?
When facing these challenges how do you respond?
Do you show the courage to communicate your ideas? Share your thoughts? Influence? Facilitate?
Or do you criticise? Dismiss? Ignore?
Do you show true courage? Because each day demands endurance & bravery to deal with losing, struggle & disappointment. Would the Greeks be proud of you?
The Greeks also believed that above all, true courage was creating something that marks us out as individuals. That we leave things with others, no matter how small, that makes a true difference in their lives.
When did you last do that?
I think the Greeks were onto something, things that we can use today as modern Leaders. So, you want to be a Leader? Then think like a Greek.