“Research has shown that fortune favors the bold, not the cautious. But in volatile and uncertain times, many leaders hesitate to act, and others simply freeze up. The question is, “Can bravery be acquired?” That was the compelling opening to a recent article—Now Is The Time For Courage: Five Strategies To Drive Bold Action Amid Uncertainty—in Harvard Business Review.

To my surprise, based on the research, the answer is “yes”—any leader can learn to be courageous. And we are living in a time—in the world, in the country, and in the health and human service field—when bravery is much needed.

The research about acquiring bravery found five specific strategies used by people who demonstrate bravery under times of pressure. Not surprisingly, a key factor is…