It’s the Heartbeat of Leadership: Why Courage Changes Everything.

In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Dave and Rich explore one of the most essential, yet often misunderstood, qualities of leadership: courage. Drawing inspiration from a Harvard Business Review article, they unpack what it really means to be brave in today’s fast-changing world of uncertainty, disruption, and pressure.

Far from reckless risk-taking, courage is reframed as a conscious choice to act boldly in service of a meaningful purpose. Through personal stories and practical strategies, Rich and Dave bring this theme to life showing how leaders can overcome hesitation, regulate natural fear, and step forward with grounded confidence.

From reframing your inner narrative to seeking connection and staying calm under pressure, this conversation provides practical takeaways for any leader wanting to build courage as a lived skill rather than a rare trait.

Key Talking Points

• Why courage is a conscious choice, not an innate trait
• The link between courage, mindset, and stepping outside your comfort zone
• How to work with, not against, your inner critical voice
• The role of reframing language and narratives (both internal and external)
• Cultivating confidence through competence, preparation, and humility
• The power of small, deliberate steps when facing big challenges
• Why courage is a “team sport”, building your “courage network”
• Staying calm under pressure by managing the fight–flight–freeze response