What does it mean to be bold?
Our thinking has evolved since 2020
Back in 2020, Bev and Kate had a muse about ‘being Bold.’ It was the start of a short series, the purpose was to explore words from the Clear Thinking card deck, reflecting on their meanings and applications in life and work. We’ve revisited our thoughts from that time and reflected on our latest thinking.
You can watch the video here on our YouTube channel. Please do subscribe.
We’ve improved our tech (a lot) since this recording, so apologies for this being a little ‘grainy.’
Our unscripted conversation took us in three directions…
The definition of Boldness
Encouragement & Environment
Difference in Boldness
Defining Boldness: Boldness involves standing out, taking risks, and believing in oneself. It’s situational and personal, varying by context and individual comfort levels.
What seems easy to you may appear incredibly difficult to me and vice versa. Our experiences of life are very different and it’s important not to assume that boldness means the same thing to everyone in every situation. There is subtly and nuance for you to notice here.
Two situations that we bump into often are those where change is needed in an organisation, and when new leaders are establishing themselves in their position. If you’re in one of those situations right now, imagine yourself on a scale with Timid at one end and Bold at the other. It’s a continuum and there’s tension holding the two ends in place, like a piece of string pulled tight.
Where are you on that scale? What would happen if you were to wriggle along that scale in one direction or the other? What would happen if you dialled down your boldness? Or might you want to crank it up? It’s a good way to explore the possibility of who you are ‘being’ before leaping to action.
Boldness is being authentic, taking action from exactly where you are, no bravado and bluster, and stepping into discomfort to make meaningful progress or impact. What do you think?
Encouragement and Environment: Boldness thrives in supportive, psychologically safe environments where encouragement fosters courage.
But let’s not get caught up in the assumption that the conditions have to be just right. That’s a trap and an obvious route to procrastination.
Experience of the Thinking Environment has reliably shown that people think well when they can see that they have choice and have a sense that they are being encouraged. Thinking comes before action, so it makes sense to create the conditions for our finest thinking to happen, before we “boldly go where no one has gone before!”
Boldness is often fueled by inspiration, purpose, or conviction and can grow in supportive environments where risks feel less daunting.
As a matter of fact, Kate once encouraged Bev to invite a room of more than 50 leaders to give her live in-the-moment feedback on the session she was facilitating with them, which was about feedback! That’s a story for another day perhaps, but it does serve as a useful example of what happens in the right environment and in the presence of encouragement.
Difference in Boldness: Boldness can show up in small, personal acts or significant, public actions.
Remember that scale, from Timid to Bold. Sometimes you find you can move up the scale in huge leaps, other times it’s tiny half steps. It’s all OK. There are no rules, about how bold you have to be, unless you make them. You might enjoy a few experiments in boldness though. Notice where in your life you would love to feel bolder, and consider who you would need to ‘be’ to experience that.
We both regularly perform on stage when we’re away from work, and that requires us to be bold in our own way, and there are many variables that can affect how much boldness we need to find in ourselves for each situation.
Boldness doesn’t necessarily mean grand gestures; it can be expressed in small, personal steps that require bravery. What’s the smallest way you could be bold, that would mean something to you? Is it a conversation you want to have? A performance you’d love to give? A place you want to go?
Prompted by what we thought at the time, we’ve had some fresh thoughts…because there is always more thinking!
Can you be too Bold?
Is this how to find freedom?
Can you be too bold? Yes, it is possible to be too bold. Excessive boldness can show up as recklessness, arrogance, or insensitivity, leading to negative outcomes. The key is balancing boldness with thoughtfulness and empathy.
Here are some examples where boldness might be dialled up a little too high…
You ignore the risks, taking action without assessing potential consequences or preparing for failure.
You overstep boundaries, acting in ways that disregard others’ feelings, needs, or cultural norms.
You dominate situations, being overly assertive or aggressive, stifling collaboration or diverse perspectives.
You pursue boldness for the purpose of your Ego, making bold moves for attention rather than genuine purpose.
Is this how to find freedom?
Remember the question from the top of this post, and the words of Robert Frost, “Freedom lies in being bold!” Is that true for you? What do you think?
Life is uncertain, that’s the default state of it.
It’s unfolding in front of us.
We can attempt to control and wrangle parts of it into some semblance of order.
But it’s inherently unpredictable.
Being bold means taking courageous action, with poise, despite uncertainty or fear.
It involves standing out, standing up and standing for, one's beliefs or choices.
And that’s where freedom can be found.
P.S. Here’s a lovely example of bold that we found on LinkedIn.