Practical Strategies for Building Bravery in Talent Development with Jill Schulman

In a recent episode of the Talent Development Think Tank, Andy sat down with Jill Schulman, an expert on the science of bravery. Schulman shared actionable insights that organizations can use to develop bravery and courage among leaders and teams, fostering a culture of growth and resilience.

Here are key steps to help you achieve this in your own organization.

Foster a Brave Mindset

Jill emphasized the importance of cultivating a growth mindset and a "stress is enhancing" mindset. Encourage your employees to view challenges and stress as opportunities for growth rather than threats. Implement training sessions that teach these mindset shifts, drawing from the work of experts like Carol Dweck and Kelly McGonagall. Helping your team believe that their skills and abilities can be developed over time is crucial to fostering bravery.

Encourage Brave Actions

Taking action, even when afraid, is at the heart of building bravery. Encourage employees to start with small steps that feel slightly out of their comfort zone, gradually building up to more significant challenges. This could include speaking up in meetings, experimenting with new skills, or leading small projects. Reinforce the idea that taking action despite fear builds momentum and confidence.

Build Brave Relationships

Cultivate an environment where team members seek out and lean on mentors and colleagues who have experience in the areas they want to grow. Promote a culture of support and collaboration by encouraging employees to discuss their goals and fears openly, thereby creating a "brave tribe" that nurtures growth and learning.

Implement Courageous Conversations

Equip your leaders with the skills to hold courageous conversations. This includes delivering and receiving feedback effectively and managing difficult dialogs. Providing training or workshops on these skills can alleviate fear and procrastination around these necessary interactions.

Normalize Challenges and Failure

Ensure that your organizational culture views challenges and failures as learning opportunities. Encourage a culture where employees feel safe to take risks and potentially fail, knowing that these experiences contribute to personal and professional growth.

Promote Self-Reflection and Curiosity

Encourage employees to reflect on their fears and assess whether those fears are based in reality or unspoken assumptions. By fostering a spirit of curiosity, employees can better understand their emotions and motivations, leading to more intentional and bold actions.

Provide Leadership Development Opportunities

Design structured leadership development paths that include modules on bravery and courage. Such programs should train leaders to embrace bold goals and provide necessary feedback to support their teams' development.

Celebrate Brave Efforts

Recognize and celebrate the brave actions your employees take, no matter how small. Public acknowledgment can reinforce the value your organization places on courage and encourage others to follow suit.

Cultivating a culture of bravery and courage is not only essential for personal development but also critical for organizational resilience and innovation. By following these steps, informed by Jill Schulman's insights, you can empower your teams to unlock their potential and achieve more significant accomplishments in both their personal and professional lives.

Don't miss the full episode with Jill Schulman on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast to explore more about the science of bravery and how it can transform your organization.