7 Ways to create a Courageous Organizational Culture

Courage is not just a personal trait. It's an organizational trait as well. And we all want, in some way, to be part of an organization and team that demonstrates courage. That is willing to push up the hill, against the odds, beyond all doubts, to achieve results and impact that most thought not possible.

So here are a a few points about creating a courageous organizational culture:

1. Allow for Failure. The road to success is many times put together through multiple failures.

2. Reward Innovation. You reward what matters most.

3. Take bold risks. Bold vision is inspiring, and creates bold team members.

4. Pursue the right opportunities. Aggressively pursue a few things that make sense. Less is more in this case.

5. Say NO often. While it's important to take bold risks and pursue the right opportunities, it's also conversely important to say NO to almost everything else. Being focused on doing a few things great is way better than doing a bunch of things average.

6. Liberally pass on responsibility and authority to your team. If you want your team to be courageous, give them the chance to lead.

7. Set standards that scare you. Your level of excellence and expectation for your product or service or experience should almost be something that is unattainable.