workplace courage

You might not think specifically about having courage in the workplace, but navigating the office environment takes a great deal of it. You’ll have to work with new people, ask for advice or help, escalate issues, deliver bad news, raise questions in large groups…the list goes on. For a lot of people, these kinds of interactions could be nerve-wracking. The online version of most interactions (texting, email) is becoming the preference compared to in-person interactions, especially post-pandemic. But that does not make some of these interactions that require courage much easier. Sometimes, even direct messaging someone you’ve never met before with a simple question can feel daunting! You can take comfort in this shared experience of work being awkward, and build courage along the way.

Being skilled in the area of courage is something that leaders exhibit every day, and for many leaders it was a skillset that was honed over time. As in practicing any skill, the more often you have to confront situations where you need courage, the easier it becomes. Working on this skillset can help in all types of relationships in your life. There will always be difficult conversations to be had, bad news to deliver, even tough rumors to address, and courage will help you manage yourself while addressing those topics.

There are countless workplace scenarios that will need you to face your fears and dig deep for courage, and almost all of them are related to communication. Here are some examples of common workplace interactions that might cause anxiety:

Providing negative feedback to a direct report.

Leading others takes courage – You are not only leading someone’s day-to-day work tasks but you are also leading someone’s career path. You will have to address tough topics with your team members on a regular basis.

Addressing a project issue with an individual.

You should feel empowered to share your professional perspective, especially in cases where you disagree with the direction of a project or see trouble on the horizon in the form of a project risk. It might be tough but you will needto share your opinion or perspective in order to ensure project success.

Asking a question in a group.

This is a common scenario where you might feel nervous – when there is a question that needs addressing in a large group setting. You might feel like you are putting yourself out there for scrutiny when you speak up. But if it is urgent or relevant to the group, it will have to be addressed in that forum. If it is not appropriate to share with the bigger audience, seek out the decision maker in a smaller audience. Either way, you were invited to this space in order to be heard.

Escalating a problem to your boss.

Your boss should be available to assist you with blockers to your work. Although oftentimes this kind of news is not easy to deliver, when you are addressing an issue with your boss, you absolutely must come to the table with an actionable and productive solution as an option.

When we don’t want to confront an issue, we might find ourselves procrastinating on the situation or hoping it goes away. Sometimes, we stay quiet when we want to address a question or problem because we are scared of the result or of being wrong. Oftentimes, when we remain silent or actionless, we regret it later.

You can build courage in any workplace scenario where you are feeling scared or nervous. Here are some things to consider when you need to find and build workplace courage while delivering information, asking a question or engaging in a difficult conversation: 

Is this the right audience?

Consider if you are delivering your message to the person with the authority or influence to hear it. This might be an easy question to answer for yourself if you need to talk to someone specific. If you’re in a group setting, this is a good question to think about before you dive in. You can find confidence in the fact you are being heard by the right person.

In other words, there is confidence in knowing that this is the audience who should care about what you have to say.

What kind of wording should I use?

Be factual in your message delivery. Never exaggerate or speak in hyperbole in any serious work situation. You will lose credibility and lose your messaging. Use facts to demonstrate your point. Knowing that you are sticking to the truth will help you if you start to become nervous.

Courage is easy to find when you communicate using facts.

How do I stay grounded?

Keep a positive problem-solving approach. You aren’t bringing up a question or issue just to complain, you want to help solve the problem, keep things moving, and improve the situation. This mindset will keep you composed.

If you are focused on doing the right thing for the project, the team, or the organization you will be self-assured.

These three tips can help you in situations when you’re feeling nervous about a workplace interaction and need to find the courage to express yourself. This could be when you’re asking for help, working with someone new, or raising a serious issue with a colleague. This can also be helpful if you’re having an off-day and need a reminder in how to regain your confidence. You will feel less nervous the more you practice this kind of composure during situations that require courage at work.