Coaching for Leaders/ Courage Mindset

A senior leader I once coached had a bold idea that could make a real difference in her organization.

But she was stuck — held back by the fear of failure and “what if it doesn’t work?”
During one of our coaching conversations, I asked her,
“What’s the worst that could happen if you tried and didn’t succeed?”
She paused… and realized the worst-case scenario wasn’t as catastrophic as she’d imagined.

So we began small.

Her first step? Sharing the idea with a trusted colleague.
Then with a few stakeholders she had strong relationships with.
She decided to seek feedback, refine the plan, and gain confidence.
Finally, she’ll present it to the larger leadership group.

The plan seemed complete, but she hesitated again.
That’s when I asked her:
“What would it feel like to look back and know you never even tried?”
That question landed. She took the leap.
The initiative succeeded. But more importantly, she unlocked something far greater: her courage.

Her words after:
“Taking that first small step changed everything. It’s not about not being afraid. It’s about doing it despite the fear.”

Courage isn’t the absence of fear.
It’s choosing action anyway.

Here’s how you can begin building a courage mindset:
** Start with small, bold actions
** Use assertive, respectful communication
** Surround yourself with a support network that believes in yo
u

Whether you’re a leader, founder, coach or change-maker —
You don’t need to be stuck to seek support.

You just need to want more for yourself.
So… what’s one bold move you’ve been sitting on?

Shanti Sharma

Shanti Sharma ICF PCC / EMCC Sr. Practitioner / Mentor Coach

Founder | Author | Leadership, Executive and Team Coach | Facilitator | Mentor Coach