When Curveballs Hit: Leading with Courage and Purpose
It was supposed to be straightforward. A keynote for 150 people. My tech checklist had been sent. The microphone was ready – or so I thought.
But when I arrived, I was told: no mic. No heads-up. No backup plan.
Frustration bubbled. Not because of ego – but because I care deeply about the experience I create. Without a mic, I knew my voice could strain, and the energy in the room might suffer.
So I stepped aside. Breathed. And made a decision:
This will be the best session I’ve ever delivered.
With that reset, I stepped forward and gave everything I had.
Leadership is Tested in the Unexpected
Every professional knows that moment. The client changes scope. The project collapses days before delivery. The system crashes minutes before a big pitch.
Curveballs happen.
And leadership isn’t tested when things go smoothly – it’s tested in those moments of disruption.
That day, my choice was to rise above circumstance – not be defined by it.
Leadership is a decision before it’s a position.
(John Maxwell)
Courage is Contagious
Toward the end of the session, I invited someone from the audience to share their “biggest monkey” – the burdens holding them back. At first, silence. Then, slowly, one person stood.
Quiet. Nervous. But determined.
They named their monkey: the fear of other people’s opinions. The weight of judgment.
And then they declared:
“From this moment forward, I want to be myself. Not who they expect me to be.”
You could feel the room shift.
They weren’t the loudest. They weren’t the most popular. But in that moment, they were the leader.
And here’s the lesson for business: leadership doesn’t always come from the corner office. Sometimes, it comes from the person willing to speak up – to be real, even when their voice shakes.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
(Nelson Mandela)
Fear Shrinks With Action
Before speaking, their fear was through the roof. After speaking, it lifted.
That’s the thing about fear – it’s often just False Evidence Appearing Real.
How often in business do we build up the worst-case scenario in our heads, only to find that once we act, the fear loses its grip?
The tough conversation with a colleague. The client presentation that feels high stakes. The bold decision that needs to be made.
Fear rarely disappears on its own. It shrinks when faced.
Action is the antidote to anxiety.
“Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.”
(Mark Twain)
Authenticity Over Approval
In organisations, it’s easy to confuse popularity with leadership. But the most powerful leaders aren’t the loudest in the room – they’re the ones willing to be authentic.
Authenticity builds trust. And trust builds influence.
As Brené Brown reminds us:
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
That moment in the room proved it. When someone chooses to show up authentically, it gives everyone else permission to do the same.
Purpose is the Energy Source
I walked into that keynote frustrated by a missing mic.
I walked out reminded of my purpose.
And that’s the key for leaders in any sector: when curveballs come, reconnecting to purpose is what fuels the energy to reset, refocus, and keep moving forward.
Research by McKinsey shows that employees who see purpose in their work are four times more engaged and twice as resilient under pressure. Purpose isn’t just a motivator – it’s an energy multiplier.
Teams don’t just need managers when things are predictable – they need leaders anchored in purpose when disruption hits.
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,”
(Friedrich Nietzsche)
Final Thought
Every workplace has its curveballs – technology fails, projects derail, clients change their minds. And every workplace has its Bravehearts – those who choose courage over comfort, authenticity over approval, and purpose over panic.
That’s leadership. Not waiting for things to be perfect – but showing up with energy, courage, and clarity when they’re not.
Because in business, as in life, leadership isn’t proven when the mic works.
It’s proven when it doesn’t.
If your organisation is navigating uncertainty, change, or high pressure, this is exactly what my keynotes and workshops equip teams to do – reset their mindset, reclaim their energy, and rise with resilience.
Let’s connect to explore how I can help your people lead with courage and thrive through disruption.
