Leadership Isn’t About Comfort – It’s About Courage

In every workplace, there are moments that test your leadership. Moments where the right decision is clear, but uncomfortable. Leadership isn’t about comfort – it’s about courage.

When faced with an employee who mistreats others, a high-performer who crosses boundaries, or a peer whose conduct is damaging trust…what do you do?

Do you step in? Or do you wait and hope the issue resolves on its own?

The truth is, many leaders avoid intervening, especially when the person in question brings in results or holds significant power. But when silence becomes the default response, a culture of avoidance sets in. And that culture doesn’t just tolerate poor behavior, it rewards it.

Power, Performance, and Avoidance

Over the past several years, headlines have reminded us again and again: many leaders knew something was wrong but did nothing. 

Not because they agreed with the behavior, but because they were afraid to rock the boat. Afraid of the backlash. Afraid of losing talent or revenue. Afraid of what might happen next.

And yet… the cost of not addressing misconduct is always higher.

Inside your organization, the same dynamic can take root quietly:

• A senior team member’s sarcasm turns into humiliation
• A high-revenue employee’s aggression is excused because “that’s just how he/she is”
• Gossip and tension go unchecked to avoid confrontation

And the result? Good people leave. Morale dips. Psychological safety vanishes. Trust unravels.

This Is Your Moment

If you’re a leader, your silence speaks. And your action, or inaction, shapes your culture.

Ask yourself:

• What conduct is being tolerated in your workplace today?
• Where is your team tiptoeing around bad behavior?
• What fears are holding you back from addressing what everyone else sees?

Start the Conversation

One of the most meaningful parts of my work is helping leaders navigate difficult conversations.

Because doing the right thing, even when it’s uncomfortable, is what defines strong leadership.

Yes, it will stretch you.
It will test you.
But it will also elevate the health, trust, and integrity of your entire organization.

Leadership isn’t about comfort – it’s about courage.

To Reflect:

• What “elephant in the office” have you been avoiding?
• What’s the cost of continuing to stay silent?
• And what would it look like to finally take action?

Let’s work together to create workplaces where people feel safe, respected, and seen, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.