Hey, I’m Belinda Egan. 

My mission since I began this journey at Egan Edge is to inspire leaders and those headed toward leadership to be their most authentic selves. 

Transformative things will happen in your life and the lives of those around you when you take off The Mask and show up, step up, and speak up. 

It might feel easier to stay under the radar, practice your due diligence, and be a Yes Person at work, especially when you’re new to your organization. 

But I created an entire Master’s Program and have built my reputation on the concept of Courageous Leadership, which is just the opposite of staying quiet. 

Why? 

Because in my hard-earned experience of over 20+ years navigating and mastering the corporate landscape, I’ve seen one absolute truth consistently come through all the noise and the mess:  

Being COURAGEOUS is always the right way forward. 

Today I’d like to clarify what being a Courageous Leader is and does so you can start practicing Courageous Leadership right away. 

Courageous leaders are desperately needed in the workplace today. 

The world of work is being split down the middle by a contentious economy, class politics, derisive leaders, and the ongoing fight for a high-quality life that includes work but is not consumed with it. 

Step 1: Show up

“Showing up” is so much more than physically presenting yourself at work each day, though confidently showing up on time is a part of it, of course. 

Showing up really matters when things get uncomfortable at work: when layoffs, restructuring, constructive feedback, and discipline need to take place for your team members. 

What does it look like when a leader really “shows up”? 

Present, active, and engaged, a courageous leader shows up by responding promptly to emails, texts, and phone calls. 

They are the first to arrive at a team meeting, and they show with their body language and speech that they’re paying attention to each team member’s concerns and talking points. 

They can be counted on to be where they say they’ll be when they say they’ll be there. 

They are reliable and trustworthy. 

Here are some practical ways to show up as a courageous leader today: 

• Take the time to do a quick follow-up on any outstanding issues or communication barriers you’ve hit with a team member or project. Follow through with a plan as needed. Communicate it right away to everyone who needs to know about it. 
• Check in with teammates to find out how their week is going. Ask about personal details members have shared with you – anything from family health issues (if you have that type of rapport with the team member) to something fun and simple like asking about a round of golf they played yesterday. 
• Arrive early for all your meetings this week. Listen carefully to everyone who speaks – not to respond, but to understand. Ask open-ended questions for clarification as needed. 

Step 2: Step Up 

Some leaders are chosen for their charisma, confidence, and communication skills. 

Others are chosen because of their valuable experience. 

And still others are self-selected as leaders because they believe deep in their souls that they can make a difference. 

If this is you, it’s easier for you to “step up” and take charge when there’s a lack of leadership present, because you know it’s your calling to fill that role. 

On the other hand, if you’ve been chosen for leadership because of your skills or experience, you might have a harder time feeling naturally courageous when it comes time to stand up and say, “I will do something about this.” 

That’s usually because you have been asked to take the lead historically, instead of recognizing that you must. 

If this is you, don’t feel bad – you’re not alone.

You can learn to “step up” and be courageous. 

Here’s how you can tell when you’re Stepping Up as a leader: 

• The first one to throw your name in the hat when a leader is needed, you’re strong-willed, outspoken, and have a fire in your belly to make changes. 
• You recognize problems and feel empowered to fix them. You see the path forward and identify the team members who can help you get where you need to go. 
• You aren’t afraid to speak your mind – even when it’s against the tide of popular opinion

On this final note, we come to the last and most important characteristic of a genuinely Courageous Leader: you Speak Up when it’s time. 

Step 3: Speak Up

Speak up for what’s right. Speak up for those who can’t. Speak up for what you believe in. Speak up, even when your voice shakes. 

As a Courageous Leader, you will see very clearly the moments when you need to SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. 

If you choose not to, you’d better believe your team will quickly start losing faith in your ability to lead well. 

It is a crucial part of your duty as a leader to use your voice to shed light, share truth, and stand up for what’s right. 

Here are some examples of when you must Speak Up as a leader: 

• You learn new information from a team member that will cause problems for your project or trajectory as an organization; 
• You discover that a team member, peer, or your superior is doing something illegal; 
• You see an opportunity to change things for the better for your team by speaking up. 

These are just a few simple examples. You should know that the opportunities and responsibility to speak up as a leader will be endless – and if you don’t feel prepared to do it, you might want to dig deeper and find out what’s holding you back. 

Need a boost of courage in your leadership? 

I created my Leadership Values Guide to help you target and strengthen the values that mean the most to you. When you double down on your values, you become someone who draws people to you, and you gain confidence in your ability to lead those people well. 

How do you want to interact with others and yourself? What motivates you to move through life? What do you want to stand for? What qualities do you want people to describe you as having?

Download your free Leadership Values Guide now and shine a light on your values – the forefront of Courageous Leadership.

Download the Leadership Values Guide