Courage:

     Courage, the physical and mental control of fear, is essential to leadership.  Courage is a mental quality that recognizes fear, yet enables you to meet danger or opposition with calmness and firmness.  Courage is a quality of mind that gives you personal control, enabling you to accept responsibility and to act in a dangerous situation.  You show physical courage when you continue to perform in the face of personal danger.  Physical courage also means controlling your emotions.  You show moral courage when you stand up for and enforce decisions that are right even in the face of popular disfavor.  Admitting errors takes real moral courage.  To develop the leadership trait of courage you must:

·         Place duty over your personal desires or feelings.

·         Look for and readily accept responsibilities.

·         Speak in a calm tone; keep your thought processes in order; don't make any physical danger or hardship bigger than it really is.

·         Stand for what is right, even in the face of popular disfavor.

·         Recognize fear but control your emotions.

EXAMPLE:

1. A Marine accepts criticism for making subordinates field day for an extra hour to get the job done correctly.

REFERENCE:  Marine Corps Values and Leadership User's Guide for Discussion Leaders