Jackson Institute for Global Affairs

Courage in Theory & Practice

Roz Savage

Week 5: The Courageous Mindset

❖ How do we integrate courage into our mindset in such a way that acting courageously becomes our default?

–Alexandra Dufresne (via Sara)

“Courage isn’t in doing what comes naturally. It is rarely about one grandiose, beautiful self-sacrificing

gesture. And it isn’t about doing what’s right when success is a

sure thing. Courage is doing what is awkward, tedious, annoying and

inelegant in the face of uncertainty. It is stepping in to cover for someone else because

someone must. And it is taking small, incremental steps every week, every month, every season, every year until it becomes a habit.”

Hannah: Searching for Courage

Positive traits

(predisposition)

Positive emotions

(vs cognitive)

Values/Identity

Positive states (self-

efficacy)

Social forces/training/heroes

Situation (can work both ways)

COURAGE

Breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis, excretion

Security of body, employment, resources, family, health,

property

Friendship, family, intimacy

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self-esteem, confidence,

achievement, respect

Morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem-solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of

facts

Physiological

Safety

Love/belonging

Esteem

Self-actualization

Narratives

Systemic Structures

Patterns

Events

Narratives

Carol Dweck - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

❖ Fixed Mindset: ❖ belief that basic qualities, like

intelligence or talent, are fixed traits❖ talent alone creates success—without

effort❖ Growth Mindset:

❖ belief that basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work

❖ creates love of learning and resilience

❖ trust in self

Fear Sets Me Free

Comfort Zone Infinite Potential

Fear=Bridge

How can you develop your Growth Mindset?

(if/then scenarios)

COURAGE

❖ Clarity❖ Who do I want to be?❖ What values do I want to honor in my life?

COURAGE

❖ Clarity❖ Ownership

❖ I know it’s possible❖ AND I know it’s going to be hard❖ Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan (WOOP)

Practice WOOPing in relation to a current

project

Stockdale Paradox

COURAGE

❖ Clarity❖ Ownership❖ Uncluttering

❖ Simplifying❖ Focus

What can you simplify?

COURAGE❖ Clarity❖ Ownership❖ Uncluttering❖ Resources

❖ People❖ Skills❖ Finances❖ Equipment

COURAGE❖ Clarity❖ Ownership❖ Uncluttering❖ Resources❖ Action

❖ Reach activation point - what you’ve brought is what you’ve got

❖ No ruminating, overthinking, or comparing❖ Approach your goal like a man with his hair on fire

approaches a pond

What are you overthinking?

COURAGE❖ Clarity❖ Ownership❖ Uncluttering❖ Resources❖ Action❖ Grit

❖ Be anti-fragile (Naseem Taleb)❖ Barbell strategy (both aggressive and conservative)❖ “I win or I learn”

How can Yale students be more

anti-fragile?

COURAGE❖ Clarity❖ Ownership❖ Uncluttering❖ Resources❖ Action❖ Grit❖ Evolution

❖ Do, finish, repeat

Mindset, BodysetAmy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

Courage Challenges - how are you going to build

a courageous mindset?