Episode recap: Uncertainty is where true leadership is tested. In this episode, host Marcel Schwantes reveals why courage—not clarity—is the skill leaders need most today. You’ll learn five practical ways to build courage: reframe fear, grow confidence, take bold steps forward, lean on allies, and stay calm under pressure. With real stories from coaching sessions and powerful leadership examples, Marcel shows how you can stop waiting for certainty and start creating it—so you can inspire trust, lead with confidence, and drive transformation when it matters most. To dig deeper into a strategy-based discussion about building up more courage in your or your team’s leadership, book your free, 30-minute discovery call with Marcel here: https://calendly.com/marcelschwantes/discovery-call?month=2025-08 Bio: Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, and acclaimed executive coach with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition. Quotes:
- "Courageous leaders don't wait for clarity—they create it."
- "Courage doesn't mean you're fearless. It means you move forward with the fear because there's something bigger at stake."
- "Confidence isn't magic—you have to build it. And the way to build it is through building your competence, because competence leads to better confidence."
Takeaways:
- Reframe your inner narrative during uncertainty by asking yourself what bigger opportunity or mission might be present.
- Practice and role-play challenging scenarios to build real confidence and readiness for tough moments.
- Take the next small step forward, even if you can’t see the whole path ahead.
Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Facing Uncertainty
01:02 The Importance of Courage in Leadership
02:14 Reframing Fear Through Story
03:38 Building Confidence Deliberately
05:52 Taking Action, Even Small Steps
07:04 Relying on Others for Support
08:21 Staying Calm Amidst Fear
09:46 Conclusion: Embracing Uncertainty
Conclusion: Courage in leadership grows through practice, reflection, and a willingness to approach challenges with steady effort. It is not about the absence of fear, but about learning to move forward despite it by taking consistent, manageable steps. Leaders who remain composed and thoughtful in uncertain times are better able to guide their teams with clear direction. In doing so, they create trust and inspire others to stay committed, even when the path ahead is difficult. Links/Resources: The book: https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Leadership-Lead-Radical-Kick-Ass-ebook/dp/B0CWG3PTL4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GGNRCK8IGE9Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MCvZounR42KoYlj36JrVeA.2nq6uw7LgXy_UsUHEJQmdFVO7jH4RVjNEKdZp75F-rk&dib_tag=se&keywords=ISBN+9781637427828&qid=1732028248&sprefix=isbn+9781637427828%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 Substack: https://marcelschwantes.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcelSchwantes YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MarcelSchwantes1 Instagram: https://instagram.com/marcel.schwan
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.