courage Archive - The Art of Communicating

Why Clarity Can Feel Threatening

Clarity is supposed to feel bright, isn’t it?
Like a light turning on in a dark room.

But have you ever noticed how sometimes, clarity feels… uncomfortable?

Imagine you’re sitting in a dimly lit room. It’s not ideal, but it’s familiar. You know roughly where the furniture is, and you’ve figured out how to navigate around it. You’ve made peace with the darkness.

Now, imagine someone walks in and switches the light on. Not only does it dazzle you. Suddenly, everything is exposed. Including the clutter, the mess, the broken pieces you didn’t want anyone to see.

That’s what clarity does. It doesn’t just turn on the light, it also reveals the mess:

→ The flaws in our thinking.
→ The weaknesses in our arguments.
→ The blind spots we’ve been avoiding.

That’s why clarity can feel threatening. It forces us to confront truths we’re not keen to admit, even to ourselves.

Ultimately, It demands a choice: To either confront what we see or retreat back into darkness.

While the dimly lit atmosphere might feel cozy and familiar, it’s also where progress goes to die.

It’s in the discomfort of clarity that we find the courage to move forward. I’ve always preferred that.

So what will you see if you dare to speak with clarity?

Keep lighting the path!

The first step

Honestly now, how often have you shied away from that first step because you feared it could be the wrong direction?

Did that make “standing still” the right direction, though?

That’s the misconception. We think we’re *waiting* for the right moment to take the step, but I find it more helpful to think of it as moving *on the spot*.

Time passes while we wait. And so we should take that into account: You’re making a choice in any case.

When we do take that step, we at least know a little more … and can make a more informed choice about the next one.

Most importantly, to light the path for those who are to follow.

Every path starts with a first step.
It’s unlikely that you discover your path by standing still.

Stories that change the world

The stories that change the world are stories that get told.

No matter how groundbreaking your story is,
it can’t change the world until you tell it.

If you don’t tell yours,
other people’s stories will fill the void.

They are not flawless, either.
They are not perfectly eloquent.

But they get told.
That’s why they change the world.

The people behind these stories started to tell them.
Somewhere. Often in an unpolished form.

But they told it.
That’s why they change the world.

You can always polish it later.
Listen to the feedback and tweak it.

But you need to tell it.
That’s how you change the world.

So, what’s your story?
We’d love to hear it.

You don’t need permission

You need courage.

True for communication just as much as for everything else.

Just use those simpler words. They really do make a difference.

An extra day for something new

Imagine you’re given a bonus day this year. But there’s a catch: To claim this extra day, you must dedicate it to doing something you’ve never done before or have always wanted to try.

Maybe it’s learning a new skill or exploring a place you’ve never been before, perhaps you agree to your first keynote speech or even take the first step towards a dream you’ve been putting off.

What would you choose to do with this day?

PS: 2024 is a leap year. So, what are you going to do with the bonus day?

Shadows, storms, and leadership

Leadership isn’t about guiding a team when the path is clear; it’s about lighting the path when things are shrouded in uncertainty. Anyone can stand at the helm in fair weather. It’s during storms when true leaders become visible.

These leaders often blend boldness with compassion.

Boldness is the courage to venture into the storm, to make tough calls, and to voice the truths that others might shy away from. Yet, without compassion, this bravery can become a blinding flash, disorienting more than guiding.

Compassion is the gentle glow that shows that you understand the fears and aspirations of those who follow, ensuring that no one feels alone or left behind in the dark. It means listening when the wind howls with dissent and caring when challenges roar.

While boldness might chart the course through the storm, it’s compassion that ensures the journey is one that everyone is willing and able to undertake.

In an age where leadership is still often equated with authority and power, remember that the most impactful leaders are those who light the path, not just lead the way.

As you navigate challenges, consider not only the direction you set but also the light you cast for others.

Are you willing to compromise?

A word of caution: You’re never going to find focus if you’re not willing to compromise.

Focusing means making decisions and dismissing many paths in order to get farther on the one path.

Leaders who master focus understand that by sticking to their focus they won’t always make the perfect decision. Instead they bet on things to be better overall and in the long run.

By not having to make this decision at each single crossing they can confidently walk their path, knowing that they’ll miss out on some beautiful landscapes but being certain that they’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view that not many have enjoyed before.

A new life is calling …

The phone rings. A new life is calling. What do you reply?

I tell ’em I’m not interested, I’m happy.
I tell ’em I’m not interested, I’m busy.
I ask ’em to call back later.
I listen.
I waste no time to make an appointment.

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