Marcel Schwantes: Five Practical Ways to Build More Courage (Ep #265)
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.
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Show Notes
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.
- Build a support network of trusted peers for honest feedback and encouragement.
- Use a simple ritual or mindfulness technique to stay calm and grounded when fear spikes.
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.
The Book
Links/Resources:
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.schwantes/
Now Accepting Podcast Sponsors
We would be delighted to accept your sponsorship for future episodes as we challenge current management thinking and practices and build skills around human leadership and human-centered work cultures. If interested, contact Marcel.
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