Just a bit of courage can be the beginnings of the leader a team needs

Progress begins when someone is willing to raise a concern, offer tough feedback, or ask a question that might upset the status quo. Too often, we hesitate. We hope tension will fade, that someone else will speak up, or that issues will quietly resolve themselves. The longer we wait, the more trust erodes and the harder it becomes to reset the culture.

Every team and organization eventually faces a moment where the easy path is silence. The real opportunity comes when someone, no matter their title, chooses to go first. Starting a difficult conversation, surfacing hidden issues, or naming the ethical line that should not be crossed is how lasting change gets underway. You do not need to be fearless to move forward. Instead, real progress often happens because you took action even if your voice trembled.

If you ever wonder whether it is worth being the one to lean into discomfort, remember that your willingness to start the conversation gives others permission to do the same. Influence does not arrive overnight. It grows through these moments, one honest exchange at a time.

Simon Sinek shares a reminder worth carrying forward:

What difficult conversation have you been avoiding, and what might happen if you started it today?

If this resonated, please share with your network. You never know who needs encouragement to speak up.