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Marcel Schwantes: Five Practical Ways to Build More Courage
Manage episode 501608395 series 2535291
Episode recap:
Uncertainty is where true leadership is tested. In this episode, host Marcel Schwantes reveals why courage—not clarity—is the skill leaders need most today. You’ll learn five practical ways to build courage: reframe fear, grow confidence, take bold steps forward, lean on allies, and stay calm under pressure. With real stories from coaching sessions and powerful leadership examples, Marcel shows how you can stop waiting for certainty and start creating it—so you can inspire trust, lead with confidence, and drive transformation when it matters most.
To dig deeper into a strategy-based discussion about building up more courage in your or your team’s leadership, book your free, 30-minute discovery call with Marcel here:
https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2025-08
Bio:
Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, and acclaimed executive coach with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition.
Quotes:
- "Courageous leaders don't wait for clarity—they create it."
- "Courage doesn't mean you're fearless. It means you move forward with the fear because there's something bigger at stake."
- "Confidence isn't magic—you have to build it. And the way to build it is through building your competence, because competence leads to better confidence."
Takeaways:
- Reframe your inner narrative during uncertainty by asking yourself what bigger opportunity or mission might be present.
- Practice and role-play challenging scenarios to build real confidence and readiness for tough moments.
- Take the next small step forward, even if you can’t see the whole path ahead.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Welcome and Introduction
[02:11] Why Courage Matters When Fear Takes Over
[04:38] Reframing Fear into A Story of Purpose
[07:06] Building Confidence by Building Competence
[10:04] Taking Small Actions to Break Through Fear
[13:02] Why Courage Grows Through Connection
[15:44] Staying Calm When Fear Spikes in Leadership
[19:01] Final Takeaway
Conclusion:
Courage in leadership grows through practice, reflection, and a willingness to approach challenges with steady effort. It is not about the absence of fear, but about learning to move forward despite it by taking consistent, manageable steps. Leaders who remain composed and thoughtful in uncertain times are better able to guide their teams with clear direction. In doing so, they create trust and inspire others to stay committed, even when the path ahead is difficult.
Links/Resources:
The book: https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Leadership-Lead-Radical-Kick-Ass-ebook/dp/B0CWG3PTL4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GGNRCK8IGE9Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MCvZounR42KoYlj36JrVeA.2nq6uw7LgXy_UsUHEJQmdFVO7jH4RVjNEKdZp75F-rk&dib_tag=se&keywords=ISBN+9781637427828&qid=1732028248&sprefix=isbn+9781637427828%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1
Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1
Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/
271 episodes
Manage episode 501608395 series 2535291
Episode recap:
Uncertainty is where true leadership is tested. In this episode, host Marcel Schwantes reveals why courage—not clarity—is the skill leaders need most today. You’ll learn five practical ways to build courage: reframe fear, grow confidence, take bold steps forward, lean on allies, and stay calm under pressure. With real stories from coaching sessions and powerful leadership examples, Marcel shows how you can stop waiting for certainty and start creating it—so you can inspire trust, lead with confidence, and drive transformation when it matters most.
To dig deeper into a strategy-based discussion about building up more courage in your or your team’s leadership, book your free, 30-minute discovery call with Marcel here:
https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2025-08
Bio:
Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, and acclaimed executive coach with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition.
Quotes:
- "Courageous leaders don't wait for clarity—they create it."
- "Courage doesn't mean you're fearless. It means you move forward with the fear because there's something bigger at stake."
- "Confidence isn't magic—you have to build it. And the way to build it is through building your competence, because competence leads to better confidence."
Takeaways:
- Reframe your inner narrative during uncertainty by asking yourself what bigger opportunity or mission might be present.
- Practice and role-play challenging scenarios to build real confidence and readiness for tough moments.
- Take the next small step forward, even if you can’t see the whole path ahead.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Welcome and Introduction
[02:11] Why Courage Matters When Fear Takes Over
[04:38] Reframing Fear into A Story of Purpose
[07:06] Building Confidence by Building Competence
[10:04] Taking Small Actions to Break Through Fear
[13:02] Why Courage Grows Through Connection
[15:44] Staying Calm When Fear Spikes in Leadership
[19:01] Final Takeaway
Conclusion:
Courage in leadership grows through practice, reflection, and a willingness to approach challenges with steady effort. It is not about the absence of fear, but about learning to move forward despite it by taking consistent, manageable steps. Leaders who remain composed and thoughtful in uncertain times are better able to guide their teams with clear direction. In doing so, they create trust and inspire others to stay committed, even when the path ahead is difficult.
Links/Resources:
The book: https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Leadership-Lead-Radical-Kick-Ass-ebook/dp/B0CWG3PTL4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GGNRCK8IGE9Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MCvZounR42KoYlj36JrVeA.2nq6uw7LgXy_UsUHEJQmdFVO7jH4RVjNEKdZp75F-rk&dib_tag=se&keywords=ISBN+9781637427828&qid=1732028248&sprefix=isbn+9781637427828%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1
Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1
Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwantes/
271 episodes
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