Try, Trust, Tell- The Three Types Of Courage We All Must Have

If you are a leader, you will need to make decisions that may not always be popular.

Or if you are in sales, you will face rejections repeatedly, and you need to find the steel inside you to stay strong.

Or if you are in an Innovation role, you will need to back yourself to come up with path-breaking and status-quo-defying ideas.

At the workplace, courage is a primary virtue that everyone must inculcate, no matter what role they may be in.

Bill Treasurer, a renowned management consultant, categorizes workplace courage into three easily identifiable categories.

TRY Courage

It is the courage required to take action and initiative in the face of challenges and odds. You know you are taking a risk, and it is possible that you will get hurt in the process. But you still commit yourself to the action because you believe it is the right thing to do.  

Examples: Taking on roles in which many others have failed, pursuing goals that are a big stretch, or taking the fall to protect someone in the team.

TRUST Courage

Unlike TRY courage, TRUST courage is not about action. It is about “letting go” when it comes to relationships. It requires enormous courage to let go of control and put your trust in the capability and commitment of others. You trust that they will get the job done, do right by you and not harm your interests in any way. Another word for TRUST courage would be VULNERABILITY. 

Examples: Delegating tasks without micro-managing or giving teammates the benefit of the doubt if something goes wrong. 

TELL Courage

This is the courage of your voice. It is the courage, to TELL the truth, no matter how difficult it may be for you(to tell the truth) or others(when you tell the truth). TELL courage requires your to make yourself visible even when you feel threatened. It is about standing up for yourself even when you feel powerless inside. 

Examples: Admitting a mistake, saying “I am sorry,” constructively challenging your supervisor on an issue you feel strongly about, or speaking up when you see something wrong being committed. 

You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.

Aristotle