Courageous Leadership

​Where Are the Courageous Leaders?

Today, I listened to Kamala Harris’ speech at the Leading Women Defined Summit.  Don't, worry, this isn't a political post. It is about two sentences she said.  “Fear is courageous. And so is courage.”

That struck a chord.

Because fear is everywhere right now. People are afraid of backlash, afraid of disruption, afraid of saying the wrong thing or taking the wrong stand. But fear, as Harris reminds us, is not weakness. It’s human. And facing it? That’s where true leadership begins.

What we’re seeing today is a crisis of courage. And it’s not limited to any one party, sector, or institution. Across the board—in government, business, philanthropy, higher education, the nonprofit world—we are watching some leaders do nothing, say nothing, and hope that the storm passes.

That is not a plan. It is complicity dressed in caution. And that is not leadership.

So the question is: Where are the courageous leaders?

Some are still showing up. Here are a few, across sectors, who are speaking up, pushing forward, holding the line.

Public Sector:
 • Lisa Murkowski (Senator) has demonstrated that she is willing to be a lone voice for what matters to her including women’s health and funding to address the murdered and missing Indigenous people..
 • Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan Governor): Consistently speaks with moral clarity on extremism and equity.
 • Wes Moore (Maryland Governor): A veteran and business leader turned public servant who centers inclusion and courage in leadership.

Private Sector:
 • Darren Walker (Ford Foundation): One of the few in philanthropy who openly challenges capitalist structures while working within them.
 • Marc Benioff (Salesforce): Has spoken out for democracy and taken business stands on equity, even when it’s cost him.
 • Rosalind Brewer (formerly Walgreens CEO): Took bold stances on racial equity in corporate America and paid a price for that courage.

Social Sector:
 • Tarana Burke (MeToo Movement): Keeps lifting up the voices we want to ignore.
 • Ai-jen Poo (National Domestic Workers Alliance): Advocating for workers left out of the traditional systems of power.

But where is everyone else?

Courage doesn’t only belong to those with microphones or media coverage. It belongs to superintendents, CEOs, pastors, board chairs, and budget directors. It belongs to culture-shapers in every boardroom and breakroom. It belongs to each of us. It belongs to me…and you.

And maybe that’s the deeper call of this moment—not just to look for courageous leadership, but to be it.

History will not ask whether we were perfect. It will ask whether we were principled. Whether we stood up or stayed seated. Whether we chose to lead when it mattered most.

So let me ask you: Where do you stand? And who are you standing for?

Because hiding is not an option. And silence is not leadership.

Visit my website: http://www.l2lleadershipinstitute.com