courage – Nathan Magnuson

Put Fear in its Place

September 21, 2015 Courage Personal Effectiveness

Fear is an intensely human experience. We’ve all felt it. We probably learn to live with most of it. But the emotion often translates into crazy, irrational behavior. For an individual, that’s one thing. But what happens when a team or an organization hangs in the balance? I’ve become convinced that…

Key Takeaways from Leadercast 2015

I was able to attend my fourth Leadercast seminar earlier this month. This year I attended a simulcast in Orlando, FL. As always, it inspired me with both new and familiar ideas. The theme this year was bravery. Here are some of my key takeaways – and you can also…

How to Tell Who the Real Leader Is

October 20, 2014 Character Courage decision-making Influence Inspiration Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness

I’ll admit I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the years when it comes to identifying leadership ability in others. Some I’ve thought would be great weren’t – and others I didn’t give much consideration turned out to be amazing. It’d be a lot easier if there was a scientific method…

The Fear of the Finger

July 7, 2014 Courage Influence Leadership Personal Effectiveness

I’m afraid I’ve come to recognize a serious leadership deficit today in America. It’s probably nothing new. It’s what I call “the fear of the finger.” Not the middle finger, mind you. I’m talking about the index finger. Precious few individuals are willing to risk being on the other end of a…

Leadership Profile: Malala Yousafzai

November 4, 2013 Character Courage Influence Inspiration Leadership Profiles

One of the leadership questions I often hear is this: how can I be a leader when I’m so young? I can’t think of a better example to share than this month’s leadership profile Malala Yousafzai. I first heard of Malala when it was reported the Taliban in Pakistan’s Swat…

Love Your Neighbor: The Heart of Leadership in the Marine Corps

September 30, 2013 Courage Guest Post Humility Leadership Personal Effectiveness Values

Today’s post was guest-written by my brother Lt. Cale Magnuson, a U.S. Marine currently assigned to the Marines Aviation Program. You can connect with Cale on LinkedIn. I distinctly remember the first time I ever heard Captain Tucker tell us that he loved us. Captain Tucker was the platoon commander…

Leadership Profile: Carolyn Jessop

September 2, 2013 Core Values Courage decision-making Inspiration Leadership Profiles Resilience

On April 21, 2003, Carolyn Jessop finally followed through on a plot more daring than any you or I have likely faced. Under the cover of darkness in the middle of the night she herded her 8 children past several “sister wives” and into a van where they narrowly escaped…

The Courage to Lead

October 1, 2012 Communication Influence Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness

The more time I spend with military and national security leaders, the more I’m convinced of the magnitude of a certain leadership quality: courage. That might not surprise you; everyone knows military service members need courage to put their lives on the line every day. There’s no debating that, but…