Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Ultimate Measure of a Man

Today, Leadercast highlights the leadership trait of bravery as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bravery is a characteristic that is not easy to come by. In fact, most people, even leaders, share candidly that fear, the opposite of bravery, comes far easier in times of challenge and controversy.

In the leadership space, bravery is an essential attribute of a leader worth following. Bravery, also referred to as courage, is said by renown authors as the cornerstone of all virtues, one upon which all other great qualities stand.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exemplified true bravery.

Faced with overwhelming odds, Dr. King stood for equality, nonviolence and justice. He championed the Civil Rights Movement in America that continues to inspire world leaders today. His bravery helped shape global awareness of equality in many areas of human rights, including race, gender, and disability.

As a result of civil rights movement, countless other areas where human rights and equality are needed have found a voice in the world. Human trafficking, education and clean water, just to name a few.

How do you lead bravely?

No doubt, circumstances and social climate prompt bravery in most leaders. Stella Batagiannis, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Indiana University, shares that bravery and courage give a leader the strength to implement change.

Change, in turn, impacts freedoms, equality and rights. Even if a leader is not on the world stage, bravery can inspire everyone in the realm of influence of your leadership.

As we honor a true leader worth following, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., consider the following ways to #choosetolead bravely today:

1. Look around. Take the time to look around on your commute to work, as you jog in the park or sit in the airport. Do you see someone who needs help? Practice going out of your way to help those in need. Is there a particular cause that interests you? Consider volunteering to see firsthand how your service can bring awareness to an issue. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2. Stand up. Brave leaders stand up others. Bravery doesn’t sit quietly in the background. Bravery stands up for the oppressed, the hurting, and the neglected in society. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
3. Speak Out. Bringing awareness to injustice or inequality, whether in our nation or in our organization, is not easy, but choosing to speak out on such issues stretches the courageous muscles of bravery. By speaking out, a leader imparts knowledge and awareness to causes that may be overlooked in by those who have the ability to change them. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join in the conversation about bravery by sharing how you #choosetolead…

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.


Click To Tweet: In salute of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., #choosetolead by remembering his BRAVERY #Leadercast #MLK 

Click To Tweet: In honor of #MLKDay, #choosetolead by remembering his BRAVERY #Leadercast #MLK 

Click To Tweet: On Day 3 of our #choosetolead campaign, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, by remembering his BRAVERY #Leadercast #MLK