|  Blog Post   |  courage is contagious.
Dare to Lead Quote

courage is contagious.

A question that comes up time and time again at the end of nearly every event of mine:

I want and need to do this. I want to choose courage and be vulnerable. I know my team needs this, and so does my whole organization. But how do I do this work when my leader isn’t willing to or worse, is ____________ (toxic, dangerous, scary, command and control, belittling, shaming, only cares about profit, etc.)?

I have no doubt that we wish that I had the magic answer and some way to make leaders do this work to create healthier, more courageous, and people-centered cultures at work.

Except sometimes, those leaders aren’t even in the room.

And we can’t change other people.

We can only change ourselves.

And it is enough, I promise.

We do the work for ourselves and the people who we love and lead and have influence over.

We do the work so that we can sleep at night and look ourselves in the mirror.

We do the work because we deserve it, are more than worthy of it, and the world desperately needs it.

And so, yes, I ask you to be brave and walk out the work not only with those you lead but also with those who lead you. I am asking you to be extra brave in some ways.

Because courage is contagious.

And when we create a culture of courage at work, where people feel seen and like they belong, we create a culture that changes lives.

Author:

A Licensed Professional Counselor, Justine Froelker has over 25 years of experience in mental health, personal growth, and professional development. For eleven years, she was certified in Dr. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability, courage, and empathy. Justine now shares her own curriculum, Courage is Built Here™. This transformative program empowers individuals to live and lead with self-awareness, authenticity, and resilience, building a foundation for courage-centered leadership. In addition to writing her blog since 2013, Justine is an accomplished author of twelve books—including five Amazon bestsellers—Justine has written across genres, from children’s books to in-depth explorations of infertility, faith, grief, and leadership. She has delivered two TEDx Talks, The Permission of the And and The Donut Effect, which highlight her unique perspective on navigating life’s complexities with grace. Justine is a sought-after speaker who travels nationally and presents virtually to global audiences, delivering keynotes, workshops, retreats, and trainings on topics such as leadership, resilience, mental health, coping with burnout, courageous and curious conversations, and fostering cultures of inclusion and belonging. Justine lives in St. Louis with her husband Chad and their three dogs. You’ll often find her volunteering at Wild Bird Rehabilitation—supporting the medical team and feeding hundreds of tiny, hungry babies during baby bird season. And during butterfly season, her home comes alive with the flutter of wings as she raises hundreds of monarch and swallowtail butterflies.

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