Even more so in our current, extreme global environment, the idea of courageous leadership is extremely relevant. Real bravery is more than taking dramatic action. It’s about the courage to go after the truth and then to tell it, even in the midst of hardship. Historical leaders and modern advocates deeply exemplify this idea. They show us that the most radical change requires courage of all kinds—from confronting repressive governments to pushing for inclusion in all our favorite legacy organizations.
At its core, courage means rejecting the seductive promise of the “triumphant lie,” which is so prevalent in our public conversation. It expresses itself in those who will not blindly follow the herd and parrot back dumbed down praise or stormy, spirit-suppressing booing. On the churchy side, Pope Francis embodies this courage with his reforms to make the Catholic Church more welcoming and caring. His leadership serves as a reminder that courage often requires a commitment to change established norms for the greater good.
In the same spirit, then PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk recently expressed her protest against the continuous bombing of Gaza. Her position embodies the moral courage it takes to confront dominant narratives, especially when those narratives attempt to legitimize violence. The willingness to speak out against such injustices highlights the critical need for more individuals to embrace truth, regardless of potential backlash.
Historical figures such as Jean Jaurès showed extraordinary courage in their own times. As Jaurès once said, “Courage is searching for the truth and finding it.” He lived his life as a moral leader and a champion of peace, social justice and non-violence. He spent all his own time organizing a Franco-German perpetual general strike. This campaign was a testament to his willingness to stand against mindless fanaticism and quell a march towards World War I. Tragically, he would pay for his convictions with his life when a Serbian nationalist assassin gunned him down in 1914.
From Ferguson to Hong Kong, today’s protests worldwide ring true to the spirit of Jaurès. Whether demonstrators in Tbilisi, Belgrade, or Istanbul, protesters are rising to meet their governments’ repression with resolute bravery. These people personify that spirit of community that fights back against oppression, standing up to cruel, abusive power with their words and bodies. What these individuals have done is set a standard for others who might otherwise feel unable to stand up because they fear retribution for doing so.
French judges have shown extraordinary courage in this past spring. Yet they persist in seeking to uphold the rule of law, despite receiving death threats. They are passionate warriors for justice. This commitment is a testament to their deep recognition of how critical integrity, at all costs and especially at personal risk, is to the judicial system. This resilience is one of our last lines of defense against tyranny and injustice.
On the flip side, other influential leaders have shown us an even more alarming display of cowardice. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has come under fire for not delivering on a number of key promises over the course of his presidency. The same can be said of Congressional Republicans, who have been charged with subverting their constitutional responsibilities, placing political expediency above the moral fabric of the nation. Such actions call into question the real meaning of leadership courage in the largest offices.
The legal profession has not been immune to such moral crises. Law firms that provide pro bono services while supporting an administration that undermines the rule of law exemplify a troubling departure from courage. This hypocrisy exposes the struggle many have when trying to fulfill job requirements with moral scope.
In recent years, Israeli conscientious objectors and refuseniks have taken courage beyond astonishing levels. They courageously resist war and military actions that they see as unjust. Their stands against war serve as a powerful reminder in a world where often times missiles take precedence over mediation. These people are on the front lines, directly subverting military culture. They raise important questions about the morality and ethics of our warfare.
Pankaj Mishra poignantly captures the essence of contemporary society’s challenge, stating that the “commercial society has unleashed individuals who are unmoored from each other or from some greater social fabric.” This final observation offers a crucial insight, too: courage is more than the sum of individual acts. It calls on all of us to come together as one global family, promoting comprehension and empathy between individuals.
Courage is not just a business of the brave. It is the business of all of us. So, it’s theologians and pastors, artists and activists, civic and political leaders, just like you—day after day—keeping faith with truth and justice. In doing so, they help build a more empathetic world for us all. The courage to tell uncomfortable truths encourages the dialogue and understanding necessary for real, lasting change.
“Courage is not yielding to the law of the triumphant lie as it passes.” – Jean Jaurès