by Michelle Cummings

Every leader faces moments where silence feels safer. A meeting where the dominant opinion goes unchallenged. A decision that doesn’t align with the team’s values. A behavior that crosses a line. In those moments, speaking up is not easy – but it’s essential. That’s the heart of managerial courage: choosing principle over popularity, clarity over comfort.

Managerial courage is not about being loud, reactive, or confrontational. It’s about being steady, clear, and values-driven. It’s about knowing what matters most, and having the discipline to act even when the outcome feels uncertain. True courage is not the absence of fear. It’s moving forward despite it.