Views on the Strength of Bravery

Bravery is one of the four character strengths that comprise the Virtue of Courage.

Bravery describes strengths that help you connect in community or group-based situations.

What is bravery?

To be brave is to face your challenges, threats, or difficulties. It involves valuing a goal or conviction and acting upon it, whether popular or not. A central element involves facing – rather than avoiding – fears.

There are three types of bravery (an individual may possess one of these or a combination):

• Physical bravery (eg. firefighters, police officers, soldiers)
• Psychological bravery (eg. facing painful aspects of oneself)
• Moral bravery (eg. speaking up for what’s right, even if it’s an unfavourable opinion to a group)

Why is bravery of value?

• Bravery helps people tolerate the vulnerability that is part of growing close to others, thereby helping in the formation and maintenance of close relationships.
• Bravery involves taking both actions and risks, two critical ingredients for personal growth and achievement.
• Bravery builds resilience as challenges are overcome and active coping skills are built.

A couple of questions to consider

• How does bravery lead you in directions that have a positive (or negative) impact on your life? 
• How do you temper bravery so that it does not put you at undue risk?

Some things that you can do to practise bravery

• Consider a close relationship (or a relationship you would like to become close). Use your bravery to express a compliment (something that might generate a positive emotion) for that other person. Focus on the experience for them and not on your nervousness. Have you tried ShareTree (www.sharetree.org)?
• Approach a work task that you have been avoiding or procrastinating on and use your bravery to face the task head on.
• Report an injustice, blatant unethical practice or abuse of power or bullying through the appropriate channels. 

For more information on the strength of bravery, go to https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/bravery

If you are interested in exploring how the practice of Character Strengths might be of benefit to your business and culture, contact Peter Maguire on 0438 533 311 or at info@poswork.com.au.

Acknowledgement: the primary reference for this post is “The Power of Character Strengths: Appreciate And Ignite Your Positive Personality” by Ryan M. Niemiec & Robert E. McGrath (An Official Guide From The VIA Institute on Character)