What does it mean to lead with courage?

In this episode of The Leadership Telos, we explore the virtue of Courage —the inner strength to lead faithfully in the face of fear, criticism, adversity, or uncertainty. Far from reckless bravery, true courage is a virtue that’s steady, discerning, and deeply anchored in purpose.

We’ll break down:

• The psychological foundations of courage: resilience, perseverance, and principled decision-making
• Aristotle’s Golden Mean and Aquinas’s framing of fortitude as the strength of soul
• Biblical truths that embolden leaders to step forward with confidence, faith, and humility
• How courageous leaders ennoble others and bear hardship without compromising virtue

Whether you’re navigating difficult decisions, confronting fear, or stepping into a new level of leadership, this episode invites you to embrace courage as a faithful, deliberate act of love and strength.

Reflect and Journal Prompts:

• What does it really mean to lead with courage in a world full of fear, pressure, and moral compromise?
• Where in your leadership are you being called to act with courage?
• What fears are holding you back from doing what you know is right?
• How do we as leaders discern the right thing at the right time for a noble end?
• Reflect on a moment where you acted courageously. What gave you strength?
• What virtue can you pair with courage, such as humility, wisdom, or patience, to guide your next decision?
• Where is courage needed in your life or leadership right now?
  Are you shrinking back or stepping forward in virtue?
• What fears do I need to confront in order to lead faithfully?”

Scripture References:

• Luke 6:45
• Philippians 4:13
• 2 Timothy 1:7
• Deuteronomy 31:6-8
• Hebrew 13:8
• Psalm 91
• Galatians 2:20

In this episode of The Leadership Telos, we explore the quiet strength of humility as a cornerstone of virtuous leadership. Far from being a weakness, humility empowers leaders to acknowledge their limitations, elevate others, and lead with grace, clarity, and love.

Drawing from psychological research, Aristotelian virtue ethics, and biblical models, we unpack how humility fosters trust and innovation. You’ll learn how humility shows up in decision-making, feedback, and communication—and why it’s essential to the pursuit of eudaimonia.

Key Themes:

• Humility is confidence with teachability
• Balancing self-awareness with other-awareness
• Biblical insights
• Practical ways to develop humility in leadership roles

Reflection Prompt:

1. When was the last time I admitted a mistake openly?
2. Do I invite feedback regularly, or avoid it?
3. How do I respond when others challenge my ideas?
4. What areas of my leadership do I feel most confident in?
5. Who has modeled humility well in my life?
   
   

Journal Prompt:

1. Describe a moment when your humility—or lack of it—impacted your leadership.
2. In what ways do you currently “reduce the power distance” with your team or followers?
3. What is one area in which you need to practice humility this week?

Scripture References:

1. Matthew 5-7
2. Colossians 3:12-14

Magnanimity means “greatness of soul.” It’s the quiet strength that enables a leader to accept honor without ego, give honor without hesitation, and act courageously without losing compassion.

In this episode, we’ll unpack:

1. Why psychology links magnanimity to high‑impact leadership roles.

2. How Aristotle, Aquinas, and the apostle Paul paint a fuller picture of this virtue.

3. Practical habits—and prayer—so you can cultivate greatness of soul in everyday leadership.

Scripture Ref:

Romans 12

Philippians 1:9

Psalm 139:23–24

Reflection Questions:

• When was the last time you accepted honor without ego or gave credit without needing to be seen?
• How do I typically respond to praise or recognition?
• When have I witnessed true magnanimity in a leader?
• Do I give credit and honor to others freely and sincerely?
• In what areas am I called to act boldly, but gently?
• What would it look like for me to lead with magnanimity this week?

Journal Prompt:

• Where is your leadership calling you to greater influence, and how can you answer that with humility?