Fearless Leaders Are Bold.

Fearless Leadership: Pillar One – BOLD

The Five Pillars of Fearless Leadership are BRAVE: B for Bold; R for Respectful; A for Adventurous; V for Valiant; and E for Empathetic.

Today, let’s dive into BOLD.

How many times have you looked at your leader and wished they would stand up for what is right and true? Have you been shocked when your leader says something to their team in private and then in a larger meeting contradicts that when others are around? Or, have you been in a situation yourself where later you wished you had spoken out and not been afraid to disagree or bring in another opinion? I think we’ve all been there.

Bold leaders are courageous. They don’t take the easy way out when the going gets tough. They stand up for their team and for the process they know will work, even when others say “we have never done it that way”, or “this is never going to work.”  When situations call for wise reflection about the right way to behave, bold leaders help others to reflect on thoughtful behavior that ensures success for themselves and others. They are courageous enough to show their own humanity and that caring about others as human beings is not “wimpy”. Bold leaders don’t follow the crowd. They are not afraid to swim upstream, or take risks, and are so inspirational that their team follows.

Being a bold leader takes practice, courage and confidence. It does not happen overnight. It is a muscle that you have to strengthen, and you will only grow in confidence when you start taking small steps. So, I encourage you to start today!

Sandy’s BOLD leadership tips:

·       Don’t be afraid to make unpopular decisions when you’ve done your homework and research and believe in the process or decision you are supporting.

·       Stand up for your team and process, even when the doubters voices are strong. Always show your team you have their back by having your own strong backbone!

·       Don’t let negativity fester – be brave enough to call it out and nip it quickly. Negativity is a fast-growing cancer that will gain converts if you don’t act.

·       Don’t participate in gossip and stop it in its tracks. So often gossip and cutting down others becomes a game, and it will be death of a highly performing team.

·       Understand that leading with humanity is always bold, and never wimpy. Bold leaders are not afraid to show vulnerability.

·       Be bold enough not to always have to be right and have the best idea in the room. Let’s others shine and give them credit. It will only make your stronger.

Get out there and do BOLD and great things.

Sandy Heydt is former c-suite marketing executive with a background as a counseling psychologist. She is an organizational start-up and turnaround specialist, working with business owners and investors worldwide, including human space flight, flying car companies, and luxury hotels. Skilled at maximizing human potential, she is a leadership coach and speaker who focuses on leading with humanity. You can reach her at sandy@heydt.co.