Leadership Fortitude

I recently finished reading The Obstacle Is The Way; Turning Adversity into Advantages by Ryan Holiday.  He reintroduced me to the word fortitude.  His quote, “Will is fortitude and wisdom.”, challenged my thinking.  Holiday writes about human will being one of the most important elements we have control over when it comes to maintaining an “obstacles as opportunities” stance.  Fortitude is defined as courage in pain or adversity.  

This got me thinking about the increasing importance of the role of fortitude in a leader’s profile, especially leading in today’s time where change and uncertainty are a way of life.  Leaders are called to be in a constant state of learning and reflection in order to meet the needs of those they serve, which means they are leading change at rapid paces. 

Insert fortitude.  Having courage in the face of adverse dispositions and reactions to change has become a leadership non-negotiable.  The image of a fort comes to mind as I reflect on what this means for today’s leaders.  A fort is typically a strong, protective barrier that shields from opposing forces.  But most forts have an opening, typically for entry and exit.  So, as leaders, maybe having fortitude really means boldly protecting our spirit, resolve, and will, while remaining open to listening to the voices and hearts of those we serve. Remaining open to changing the way we communicate, collaborate, and champion the change, while never backing down from the vision.  

Oftentimes we think of courage in the physical form.  Leaders with fortitude possess mental and emotional courage to withstand the creative efforts of those looking to protect the known and familiar because of fear. Possessing leadership fortitude will require humility, firm sense of purpose, and service.  The actions of the fearful can be harsh and relentless.  May we rely on fortitude in the face of fear and do the hard work it takes to develop this courage under pressure. After all, people are counting on you and in most cases the future of your organization depends on your fortitude.