Courage for a Bright Future

“Leadership is about courage. It’s about finding the courage to show up and have difficult conversations, to take risks and embrace change.” – Brené Brown

Years ago, as a student at Rhodes University, I heard a story that has stuck with me ever since. It was about a prisoner who had helped build a new wing onto the prison where he was being held. Many years later, by an unusual series of coincidences, his son ended up being kept in the same prison. Remarkably, the son found out that his father had built the very wing where he was being held. When asked what had led to his life of crime, his reply was haunting. ‘You could say I am in the prison my father built!’

All of us in some way live in the prisons that the previous generation has built. This is true as individuals, but is also true at the wider societal and national level. We have recently voted in a new government in South Africa. Many have suggested that it may be the most important moment for us as a nation, since the first fully democratic elections of 1994. Despite the smatterings of hope, years of broken promises, corruption and mismanagement have taken their toll. Only a minority of those I have spoken to have any hope that the new political scene will help to finally tackle the social issues that plague the nation.

I am writing this just a few days after June 16 (Youth Day), acutely aware that many of the youth of South Africa are living in prisons that the previous generations built. What will it take for their worlds to be different? If I have to settle on one thing a young generation would need, it would be courage.

I will mention four kinds of courage that are needed for change.

Firstly, young people will need courage to hope. Hope requires courage because in crises and difficulty, negativity and despair are the status quo. Hope must be actively chosen; it will never be the default. It will take courage for a young generation to defiantly choose hope in an atmosphere of accumulated despair.

Secondly, it will take courage to attempt a new course, because the practices of the past will not build a different tomorrow. Pioneers and mavericks may be celebrated after the fact, but going against the grain tends to be criticised in the moment.

Thirdly, young leaders will need the courage to attempt big things. With any significant attempt at change, there is the risk of painful failure. Courage keeps us moving towards an uncertain future because we realise that nothing changes unless someone dares to step beyond the safe.

Lastly, the next generation will need the courage of their convictions. Transformation is not instant. It requires holding a course through setbacks, delays and opposition. It requires a hard head and a resilient heart.

I have been speaking about the need for the younger generation to lead with courage but I have all of us in mind. I would like to make two appeals.

Firstly, I appeal to an older generation: let us not weigh down a younger generation with the things we have seen that haven’t worked. Rather let us share our wisdom and encourage them to attempt what our generation could not. At Xpand, we believe that courageous leadership can be learned. Many of our initiatives are designed to foster courageous leadership. We consider it a win when the next generation exceeds us.

Secondly, I would like to appeal to the younger generation: honour the previous generation and learn from it, but your history is not your future. This may be one of the most significant moments for our nation; lead with courage and keep your eyes on a new horizon. With courage you will turn around a ship that people are saying is impossible to turn.

Written by Fifi Formson

To get in touch with a coach, consultant or trainer for leadership processes that can help the next generation of leaders or your organization contact our office at office@xpand-sa.com.