Bravery and confidence often go hand-in-hand.  But which one comes first? Many would argue that confidence is required in order to be brave. Yet research consistently shows that being brave boosts our confidence, not the other way around.  

Thus, a quick way to boost your confidence is to take bold action and be brave.

Therefore, let’s explore bravery. 

Bravery; a definition

Bravery is one of the 24-character strengths in the VIA signature strengths model. When working with clients, I use the VIA Strengths assessment tool because the 24-character strengths in the VIA signature strengths model are universal. That is, they are found in all cultures across the world. And, all people have all 24-character strengths. This means all people are brave! 

Strengths can be described as your superpowers. Everybody’s combination of strengths is unique to them, and this is what makes you, you. Tapping into your personal blend of strengths can bring greater clarity, increased confidence, and a deep sense of contentment in and with your career and life. And the best part? You can improve any of the 24 character strengths by simply increasing your awareness of that strength and adjusting your behaviour.

Within the VIA Strengths model, bravery is defined in the following way;
To be brave is to face your challenges, threats, or difficulties. It involves valuing a goal or conviction and acting upon it, whether popular or not. A central element involves facing – rather than avoiding – fears.

As the definition above shares, bravery includes facing your fears, not avoiding them. Bravery can also be seen as being assertive. Raising your voice and speaking out. Other times, it’s stepping out of your comfort zone.  Sometimes, it’s all of these things!

Bravery and change

Bravery is needed for any significant change, whether in life, career, business, or society. It is also needed if we seek a relationship or develop new friendships. Indeed, research shows that bravery helps people tolerate the vulnerability that is part of growing close to others, thereby helping in the formation and maintenance of close relationships. 

Bravery is needed when we want to make any type of change in our lives.  If you want to change how people treat you, you need bravery.  Keen to explore a new career? Yes, bravery is required.  Dream of starting your own business? A big dose of bravery and confidence is key. 

Bravery is needed to break out of echo chambers and to call out what’s wrong. To view people and situations from a different, kinder and more compassionate perspective can involve bravery. Dreaming of a future where people are truly treated fairly and valued for who they are rather than their gender identity, race, sexual preference, socioeconomic background or any other area where people are currently discriminated against and treated differently? Yes, it takes bravery to challenge society's norms and structures. 

And of course, bravery is required to invent new solutions, to experiment and for creativity.

These are all circumstances where we actively seek change. Yet when change is unwanted, we are experiencing a time of transition or challenge, and we are not able to influence or control how the change impacts us; bravery is even more important.  In confronting times, our ability to access our inner bravery and courage helps us cope with emotional, mental, physical and psychological challenges. In this way, bravery is a key component of resilience, that is, our ability to bounce back after setbacks, challenges and adversity. 

As you can see, bravery underpins all change.

Bravery supports you to make the changes you desire and cope with those you don’t want. And, through improving your bravery, you will also boost your confidence.

This is why I want to share with you ten suggestions for how you can tap into your bravery.

10 ways to tap into your bravery

1. Know your values.

Your values are essentially a personal code of conduct that you choose to live by. Values work like our moral compass—they inform our thoughts, actions, and words. Knowing your values increases your confidence and your ability to be brave. When you know what you value, you know what you stand for and what you deem important. Through this lens, you can then choose to say yes or no to situations, people, and activities. 

2. Have clear boundaries.

Boundaries help teach people how to treat us. “Personal boundaries are the limits and rules we set for ourselves within relationships” (University of California)

When we know what we will and won’t accept in relationships and situations, we can then use that to speak up and decline requests or say no to behaviours that breach our values.

Nothing is sustainable without boundaries.

Through asserting our boundaries, we make it explicit how we expect others to treat us, and step into greater bravery and confidence.

3. Check your personal history.

Go back and think about the moments when you’ve been brave in the past. Perhaps when you owned up to a mistake or called out an injustice or a wrong.

What made you do it? How did you feel?

If you can draw on those experiences, recall the physical sensations and feelings, and relish those moments, you can summon them again when you need a bravery boost.  

4. Identify your heroes.

There are people around us who are actively brave, either by courageously showing up or stepping forward in an unexpected way. Find, notice, and observe them. They might be at your place of employment, in your community, in your extended family, or elsewhere. Wherever they are based, they are your role models for how you, too, can be brave and help reinforce the narrative that courageous behaviour is respected, making you more likely to be brave yourself.

5. Get out of your head.

It’s a sad truth to acknowledge, but no one is actually thinking about you as much as you think they are! Therefore, don’t be held back by feeling self-conscious. Knowing that no one is really thinking about you is liberating!

As my (very wise) mother repeatedly told me as a teenager when I was worried about what I’d wear to a party, “Most people are too busy thinking about what they are wearing to notice what you’re wearing!” 

And the same applies now; most people are too busy thinking about themselves to be concerned about you. Therefore, this is your permission slip; go ahead and share your bold, brave ideas, or take inspired action without fear that others are judging you. 

6. Find your people.

We all have people who lift us up and those who diminish us. Clear boundaries can help, but sometimes, people we care about, such as well-meaning friends and family, can inadvertently diminish our confidence and bravery.

Whether they are loved ones, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances, identify the people who diminish your bravery.

• Who is your kryptonite?

• Who makes you feel sheepish or inhibited?

• Or, who causes you to second-guess yourself and doubt your decision-making?

These people are drains at best and toxic at worst. 

Instead, identify and spend more time with the people who make you feel like a superhero, boost your mojo, replenish your energy and elevate your self-belief and confidence. Those are your people!

7. Stand tall.

Literally! Research has shown standing up, as tall and straight as you can, with your hands on your hips boosts your confidence and your bravery. 

Whilst you can literally stand tall, we also increase our bravery when we take a stand for something we believe in. This can be done by expressing your boundaries clearly, asking questions, suggesting ideas, supporting colleagues, friends or loved ones, or trying new creative approaches. Remain respectful but don’t shy away from uncomfortable conversations. 

8. Take action.

Merely thinking about doing something will never make you feel brave or boost your confidence. Instead, move into action. Remember that done is better than perfect. Worrying or obsessing about making it perfect is paralysing. After all, remember you can always fix it later if required. Confidence and bravery both require action. So, it’s better to get it done, and then get on with your life. 

9. Know yourself.

Many brave actions require us to back ourselves and trust ourselves. In order to trust ourselves, we need to know ourselves, our values, and our strengths. Finding out who we are is one of the greatest explorations of our lives, and it can lead to greater clarity, joy, and, yes, confidence. Knowing ourselves makes everything easier—including being brave! 

For bravery, if all else fails, you could always channel Dolly Parton. As she said, “Find out who you are. And do it on purpose” 

These nine suggestions will help you tap into your bravery. If you want a more practical approach, consider this final suggestion.

10. Start small. 

Starting small makes being brave less risky and less scary.

Here are some very easy suggestions for how you can practice your bravery today. 

• try new food

• try a different type of exercise or sport

• read a different author or new magazine

• introduce yourself to a new colleague at work or a new parent at your child’s school

• say yes to an invitation (that you would normally refuse due to fear)

• visit a new place

All of these are little steps that can boost your bravery and increase your confidence, too.

There are many other ways to be brave and boost your confidence in the process. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, defining what is enough for you, trying new things, checking off experiences from a bucket list, and even choosing to use our time with intention can boost our bravery.

When we take brave action in line with our values and goals, we are in integrity and will experience a boost to our confidence. 

The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence

If you’ve enjoyed this article, you’ll love my FREE book, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence! The book provides a whole alphabet’s worth of valuable tips for boosting your confidence in your career, business and life. To obtain your copy, click here or the image.

Of course, if you want to feel your best, experience greater confidence in ALL areas of your work and life, and prefer a custom approach, then working with a coach (that’s me!) is the best option.

Through my custom coaching program, you will receive a tailored coaching approach that speaks to your unique strengths, values, and talents and addresses your specific personal goals. Learn more and book your complimentary consultation using the button below.