Courageous Leadership: 3 Practices for Regenerative Change and Impact

Let me take you behind the scenes for a moment. I was working in a $1 billion healthcare system alongside an incredible team, asking one big, audacious question: What would it look like to make the world healthier—not just for patients, but for the planet, too?

I looked everywhere for answers. The food served to patients and staff. The materials used in the built environment. The way we managed waste. My vision was that the facilities would be the most sustainable in the nation while still having the best patient outcomes. 

As I read and learned, I uncovered a new finding in the Journal of Anesthesiology. New research had found that anesthesia gases used in operating rooms were being found at the North Pole in air samples. The most commonly used gas, desflurane, is more than 2,500 times more potent as a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide. The research paper shared that several hospitals were beginning to make the switch to safer, lower-impact alternatives without any impact to patient outcomes. 

After I read the study, I felt excited about this new possibility. I knew I had to let someone know. I emailed one of the lead anesthesiologists asked they had considered switching anesthesia gases.  She brushed me off and let me know she wasn't interested, despite the science.

It felt awful.  I felt unseen by someone who was also a scientist.  I felt unheard. The opportunity to do something good for the planet big, but I was afraid if I kept speaking up, I would be rejected again.  I froze.  I shrunk.

What Courage Really Is
Courage isn’t some magical trait that a few lucky people are born with. It’s something we build, choice by choice, breath by breath. It shows up in small, often uncomfortable moments—the kind where your heart races, your hands shake, and you do it anyway. Or it might be the conversation you don’t want to have, the truth you speak even when it’s hard, the decision you make because it’s right, not easy.

Courage also grows over time. Like a muscle, it strengthens each time we choose it. The first brave act might feel shaky, but every time we act from that place of integrity, we reinforce the neural and emotional pathways that make future courage more accessible. Over time, what once felt terrifying becomes part of who we are. This is how courage compounds: not in grand gestures, but in daily choices that align with our values and stretch our comfort zones just enough to expand them.

Courage isn’t about fearlessness. It’s about what you choose despite the fear. For people who want to regenerate the earth, courage is the doorway to innovation, advocacy, and real change.

The Science of Courage
Our bodies are wired for self-protection. When we encounter stress, uncertainty, or resistance, our nervous system tends to default into fight, flight, or freeze mode. But that doesn’t mean we’re stuck there. Research by Jon Kabat-Zinn has shown that mindfulness—simple practices like breathing and noticing—can calm our stress response and create the internal space we need for clarity and grounded decision-making.

That internal clarity is essential for courageous leadership. Studies consistently link courageous behavior with increased resilience, higher levels of trust, and better outcomes across teams. Brené Brown’s research shows that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the birthplace of courage. Leaders who are willing to risk discomfort and show up authentically foster stronger connections and more creative problem-solving.

And it’s not just mindset. Amy Cuddy’s work on embodied presence reminds us that how we carry ourselves—our posture, breath, and body language—can change how brave we feel. Even standing tall and breathing deeply for two minutes can help shift us from anxiety to confidence.

How the Story Ends
I could have given up on my project, packed my bags and moved on.  But I didn’t give up. I waited a few weeks, and scheduled a meeting with the head of Anesthesiology.  The day came, and I walked into his office that had a big bookcase full of textbooks and journals on the wall.  I took a deep breath, sat down on the other side of his desk and prepared to make my case. I reminded myself of all the good I could do if we could just make this switch.

I started my handing him a copy of the journal article.  I held onto my copy and walked him through the journal copy.  I slowly made the points in the article.  He agreed it was an easy switch and worth pursuing.  A few months later, the hospital adopted the new anesthetic protocols. The switch didn’t cost more. It didn’t compromise patient care. But it did reduce the hospital’s climate impact—an impact that had been invisible but real.

This wasn’t just a win for carbon emissions. It was a win for human health. For the planet. And it showed me that leadership sometimes about having the courage to try again.

Three Courage Practices You Can Use Right Now

1. Pause and breathe. When you feel yourself going into fight-or-flight, stop. Take three slow breaths. Let your body know it’s safe to choose wisely.
2. Anchor in your values. Ask yourself: What matters most right now? What would courage look like if I led from that place?
3. Take one bold micro-step. It could be a hard conversation, a brave question, or a gentle but firm no. Courage lives in motion, not perfection.

One Courageous Act at a Time
Courage isn’t just for heroes. It’s for anyone willing to keep showing up with heart. It grows in the everyday moments—when you raise your hand, take the mic, hold the boundary, or speak the truth you’ve been carrying for far too long. 

Every real change starts with a spark. One quiet act of courage. One clear decision to lead from your values instead of your fear.  his is how systems shift. How we write a better future.

Three Reflection Questions on Courage

1. When was the last time I acted with courage—even in a small way? What helped me choose to speak up, step forward, or stay true to my values?
2. Where in my life or leadership am I currently being invited to act with more courage? What am I avoiding, and what might open up if I faced it with heart?
3. What does courage look like for me right now -- even if it's single, meaningful step toward what matters most?

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