People often ask me, “What does courage mean?” I always have a very specific answer. Let me share about courage under fire. It is a type of bravery that goes beyond being able to face your fears. Courage under fire also touches on vulnerability and authenticity.

Courage Under Fire | The Value Of Your Truth

I had just seen the Courage Under Fire movie, starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan. Watching it, I couldn’t help but relate it to what I do. I started to think about being a speaker or a performer and being up on stage. I thought about sitting with somebody and having that conversation about what they do. It’s like sharing your gift and yourself with other people in a vulnerable way.

When you do something like that, it feels like having courage under fire.

How to stop fear of rejection holding you back: https://t.co/qXJtE8UR5p pic.twitter.com/wliIorm4Kw

— Ted McGrath (@ted_mcgrath) August 10, 2017

There’s always that gnawing feeling if I open up, I could be rejected. It’s also possible I could trigger something unpleasant. The other person could then feel uncomfortable or even upset — but they also might be happy or motivated.

The Key is Vulnerability

Without vulnerability, your message loses power. pic.twitter.com/bf1ZwSwHxT

— Ted McGrath (@ted_mcgrath) August 7, 2017

What I’ve learned as I’ve grown in this space is that having courage under fire in any situation means opening up and being vulnerable.

How are vulnerability and courage linked? It takes a lot of courage and bravery to show your true self.

For example, one of my greatest aspirations is to be a speaker and a performer. With this profession, a lot of people assume that to sell I always create the persona I think the audience wants to see.

However, that’s now how I work, and that’s not what my audience and client deserve. Most of all, it’s not the best way to convert your audience into clients.

The reason is simple: To do business with you, they need to trust you. To trust you, they require not only credibility but also connection.

My life story is full of different personas. If you’re curious about how I began my #GoodEnough journey, read here. https://t.co/fEKs08S2Qh

— Ted McGrath (@ted_mcgrath) August 3, 2017

In this instance, having courage under fire is showing up and being myself, being transparent, and being in my truth. It is sharing my gift and doing something that’s for the greater good for everybody.

No One is Perfect

For many people — especially my clients — I may be part of the list of amazing people who are authentic. Still, there are times when I don’t feel that way. In those moments, I am not aligned with my truth.

For example, once I had just got off the stage after talking with about 40 young entrepreneurs. All of them were growing and going after their truth.

One of the things I wanted to do was to make sure I shared my voice and connected with and served them, and I’m happy that I did that.

I handled some things in the room and then it came to enrollment time. I was making the offer, but I felt a little bit uncomfortable. I didn’t know if my offers were making sense to them — if they even wanted them.

When I noticed these emotions, instead of continuing inauthentically, I opened myself up. I started asking questions to see what they wanted to accomplish and how this could serve them and their vision.

The most important thing I learned in 17 years of enrolling customers: https://t.co/KgunVWL1Fl pic.twitter.com/Re59LJjECi

— Ted McGrath (@ted_mcgrath) August 4, 2017

In the end, courage under fire is just stepping in and being yourself. We can have courage where we’re in a place of peace.

Whether you’re ready to go act in your next film or speak on your next stage, have the courage to show up and be yourself. That’s what serves me.

Was there a time when you feel you need to have courage under fire? How was it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Up Next: How To Be A Great Speaker | 5 Versions of the Superstar Speaker to Transform YOU into a Star