Leadership Under Fire

Leadership and courage are always tested when under fire. Not only do people run away when they are under fire, most run away when they smell smoke!


Forbes put out an article about leadership last month - you can check it out here. One of their seven traits of those who lead in tough times need to remain fearless.

In tough times, people often speak about how fear dictates their choices. Fear should never dictate how we live our lives and how we should lead others. Fear has a funny way of challenging how to view things and how we do things, though. It is hard to see, think, and act clearly when fear of change, the unknown, or the untested start to come into play.

General George S. Patton had this to say about fear, choices, and leadership:

The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision. That's the time to listen to every fear you can imagine! When you have collected all the facts and fears and made your decision, turn off all your fears and go ahead!
I have always respected General Patton from what he did on and off the battlefield. A true leader needs to be able to turn off their fears to move ahead with real change. It's not a skill or trait that one can just acquire. It needs to be tested, time and time again. There is a reason why they say something is "fire-tested."