This post is part of our RallyGrow series, covering 10 human skills that drive real impact in life and work.

In RallyGrow, we define courage as facing fear and taking bold, deliberate action anyway. It’s the second skill in our Master Your Mindset module, after responsibility, because it’s essential to momentum. Responsibility gives you the reins. Courage is what helps you move forward.

We often think of courage as something reserved for extreme circumstances. Running into a burning building, giving a keynote speech to a crowd of thousands, starting a company with no safety net. However, real courage happens in the everyday. It’s the quiet decision to speak up when you’re unsure how your words will land, taking the first step toward a goal that scares you, or raising your hand to lead before you feel ready.

Courage, importantly, is not the absence of fear. Fear is a natural human reaction to the unknown - it is data that shows us where we care, where we’re stretching, and where we’re most alive. Waiting to act until we feel ready or are fearless is a trap. You build courage by acknowledging the fear and acting in spite of it, or because of it.

The Three Buckets of Courage

Bill Treasurer identifies three types of courage, or as he calls them, “buckets,” that are essential for growth.

• Try Courage - Taking on something new or uncertain. This could mean saying yes to a stretch project, having a tough conversation, or initiating change when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
• Trust Courage - Letting go of control, being seen, or asking for help. It’s what allows you to delegate, admit a mistake, or show vulnerability as a leader.
• Tell Courage - Speaking the truth, especially when it’s uncomfortable. This could be naming a dynamic that’s not working or sharing honest feedback with someone you care about.

Most of us have one or two types that feel natural. And one that feels like a stretch. Growth happens when you strengthen the muscles you’re not used to using.

The SCARF Model

Introduced by Dr. David Rock, the SCARF model offers insight into the social brain and how it responds to threats and rewards. SCARF identifies five social drivers that cause humans to experience threats or rewards.

• Status - We all want to feel recognized and valued. When our status feels threatened—maybe through criticism or failure—we feel fear. Think about how much it stings when you feel overlooked or embarrassed at work.
• Certainty - Our brains crave predictability. Uncertainty makes us feel threatened because we don’t know what’s coming. This is why situations like big changes at work or unclear instructions can create anxiety.
• Autonomy - People need to feel in control of their decisions. When we’re micromanaged or our freedom is taken away, it feels threatening. Fear shows up because we feel powerless.
• Relatedness - We’re wired to connect with others. Isolation or feeling left out triggers fear. Humans need to feel like they belong, and that’s why building trust and connection is key.
• Fairness - We all want things to feel fair. When we perceive an injustice, it creates fear or resentment. Feeling like things aren’t balanced or just can stir up deep emotions.

Understanding these drivers can help shine a light on your own fears and notice patterns that may be holding you back - are you more driven by some of the SCARF drivers than others? When does courage feel toughest to tap into? Knowing these drivers can also help you influence and communicate better with others. For example, if you are going through a period of change, helping those around you find autonomy where they can, or see what remains certain can help ease the threats that humans naturally feel during periods of change.

One Question to Ask Yourself

As part of the RallyGrow course, we ask participants to make a Courage Commitment. That starts with this simple question:

What’s one action you’ve been avoiding - not because you can’t do it, but because it scares you?

That’s your invitation. One action. One stretch. One step forward.

Final Thought

Courage isn’t about being loud or heroic. It’s about being honest about what matters and acting in alignment with that. It’s about building the muscle to take action before certainty arrives.

And the more you practice it, the more it becomes part of who you are.

We invite you to explore these concepts more deeply through the resources below.

Quick Hits

Short reads, videos, and podcasts to get inspired and start applying right away.

• Three Buckets of Courage digest - Try, Trust, Tell
• Read The SCARF model, explained - model of social threat & reward
• Watch Brene Brown: The Call for Courage

Deeper Dives

Books and long-form content for when you want to go further into the ideas and practices.

• Read Brene Brown: Courage over Comfort
• HBR: Now is the Time for Courage

Next up, we’ll be talking about Energy!

Interested in learning more or exploring RallyGrow? Email rallygrow@rallydaypartners.com to inquire and request access.