RGS Guildford courtyard with students

Reflection: Courage – Leadership

Nelson Mandela once said, “Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it is the triumph over it.”  Courage is the force that propels humanity forward in the face of uncertainty and overwhelming odds.  It lives not in grand gestures alone but in the quiet, unwavering acts that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.  Courage requires something deeper than strength.  It calls for a commitment to pursue the right course, not the easy one.  Courage is the willingness to take steps into the unknown, armed not with certainty but with conviction.

To be a good leader, courage is imperative.  It empowers leaders to make tough decisions, stand by their principles and act in the face of adversity. Without courage leaders may be swayed by fear, doubt or cower behind the established order.  Courage allows leaders to earn trust and respect, fostering an environment where others feel emboldened to act positively as well.

An example of a leader acting courageously was Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil war.  Faced with a deeply divided nation, Lincoln made the difficult decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which declared the freedom of enslaved people in the United States.  This bold move was not only a moral stand, but a political risk as it alienated some factions within his own party and threatened to escalate the war.  Yet, Lincoln’s courage to take this stand, despite personal and political costs, helped redefine the nation’s values and ultimately led to the elimination of slavery in the US.

On a smaller scale, courage is the everyday acts of kindness towards others that receive no personal gain.  These acts create a ripple effect that extends far beyond their initial moment.  Small gestures whether standing up for a friend or offering help to a stranger, foster a sense of shared humanity.  These actions don’t just improve the immediate environment, they quietly inspire others to act with integrity and compassion, contributing to a culture where people feel empowered to make positive choices in their own lives.

So, whether you’re leading your rugby team to victory or supporting a friend through a difficult time, I urge you to act with courage and kindness towards others and lead them to uphold these values as well.

Zac Tinkler
Senior Prefect