In J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, The Fellowship of the Ring, there is a character named Samwise Gamgee. Samwise is met with the struggle to find the courage to step out from his hometown, the Shire, and into a life of adventure and danger. Tolkien demonstrates the idea of fear keeping us from going further in life by using the interaction between the courageous Frodo Baggins, who is the main character, and the fearful Samwise. Here is an excerpt from the story that is taking place just as Frodo and Samwise are about to begin their quest…

Sam: This is it. 

Frodo: This is what? 

Sam: If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been. 

Frodo: Come on, Sam. Remember what Bilbo used to say, “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”  

Like Frodo, when courage fills someone’s heart, they will be overcome with a willingness to advance further. Courage is never content with the status quo. It does not settle in mediocrity. Courage propels an individual to step out in bravery and boldness. Novelist, poet, and playwright, Miguel de Cervantes, said, “He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he that loses his courage loses all.”

The word courage comes from the French word coeur, meaning “heart.” It takes courage to venture out onto higher ground, especially when the task seems insurmountable. Every great advancement in the history of the world has required courage. To sail to new lands, you must have the courage to lose sight of the old shores. Never allow your fear of the unknown keep you from having faith in the unseen. Leaders must be willing to take their team and their organization through uncharted territory. Always playing it safe is actually the riskiest place to be. Settling rather than pioneering never takes you to a greater destination.

Here are 4 things to think about when it comes to being a courageous leader…

1. Do It Now

The longer you wait to step out the harder it becomes. Don’t delay what needs to be done now. There is never a better time to get moving forward than today.

2. Do It One Step At A Time

When you venture out into uncharted territory you don’t know what lies ahead. Therefore, you must take it one day at a time, one step at a time. Don’t be overwhelmed by every detail, just keep moving forward.

3. Do It Happily

Stepping out in courage and influencing other to go with you requires you to have a great attitude. Don’t complain and kill the morale of everyone around you. Courage needs an environment that fosters positivity, otherwise courage will begin to fade away.

4. Do It Even When It Gets Tough

Stay the course even when things get tough. Don’t give up when you ate stepping out. Uncharted territory is not always easy. There are obstacles that will challenge your faithfulness. Keep your head up and your eyes forward on your mission. Don’t abandon your cause!