In a world filled with business challenges and uncertainties, the essence of leadership often boils down to a singular, indispensable quality: courage. On a recent episode of “The Leadership Toolkit,” Mike Phillips interviewed Tammy Delaney-Plugowsky. Tammy is the founder and CEO of “On the Level Leadership”, a leadership consultancy and training company that helps leaders break through barriers to lead more effectively.

Tammy started her career in health care delivery which then grew into over two decades in leadership positions in both public health and emergency management at the national level in Canada. Over her career, Tammy has led and implemented significant national programs and she understands just how powerful great leadership is.

It’s a tough concept; having the courage to lead. Having courage will make you a more effective leader. But, besides having courage you have to give yourself permission to lead! Let go of your fears and pre-dispositions about yourself. Let go of the weight of public opinion. The intangible asset of courage is the linchpin that holds together business. This is in management, strategies and tactics, and empathetic communication. Leadership is not just about making tough decisions; it’s about standing by them, even when public opinion may be against you.

“Give yourself permission to lead.” ~ Tammy Delaney-Plugowsky

Courage in leadership is not a monolithic concept. It’s a kaleidoscope, ever-changing and multi-hued. It involves the audacity to innovate, the resilience to endure setbacks, and the wisdom to know when to pivot. One takeaway I had is that, for women, courage also means challenging the status quo. You must rewrite the rules, and set new paradigms for what is achievable. The courage to lead is not just about confronting what lies ahead; it’s about redefining the very landscape of possibilities.

Check out the full episode of “The Leadership Toolkit” below.

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