Fear tends to grow when we keep things to ourselves, but courage often grows when we talk things through with others.
Arthur faced a choice: resign and study full-time for a year or play it safe by keeping his job and studying part-time. Most people thought it was better to stay employed and study part-time, especially since major changes were underway.
Instead of avoiding the risks, Arthur spoke with a few trusted friends to hear their honest opinions on the benefits and risks, and to get their thoughts on his abilities and chances. He also spoke with some respected older colleagues and acquaintances.
These conversations gave him new perspectives on himself and options he hadn’t considered before. He realised he had been stuck in a cycle of making the uncertainties seem worse than they were.
With these new perspectives, he saw the risks were real but the benefits of full-time study were significant. He realised he had a good chance of succeeding and that even if things didn’t go as planned, he could recover. These conversations gave him the confidence to face the risks.
When you’re under pressure, focused conversations with people you trust help. The main point is to learn, not to expect someone else to decide for you. The aim is to get new perspectives so you can make a better decision yourself.
Next time you’re in a tough spot, reach out to your trusted friends and ask for their thoughts on your situation, rather than what they would do themselves.
#ethicalleadership #characterdevelopment #courage #beliefs #ACT2Win