Decide to Be Bold: A 10-Day Brave Coaches JourneySample

Boldness in Leadership

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7

“Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” – John Maxwell

Leadership requires courage. When Joshua stepped into Moses’ role, he faced the overwhelming task of leading Israel into the Promised Land. God’s command to him was simple and repeated: “Be strong and very courageous.” Bold leadership begins with obedience to God’s Word and confidence in His presence, not in personal strength or popularity.

Winston Churchill embodied bold leadership during one of history’s darkest hours. As Britain faced the threat of Nazi invasion in World War II, his speeches rallied a weary and fearful nation. In his famous declaration—“We shall never surrender”—Churchill’s courage gave people hope when circumstances seemed hopeless. His leadership helped steady the course of a nation under siege. True leadership often looks like standing tall when others shrink back.

Nehemiah gives us one of the clearest biblical portraits of bold leadership. When he heard that Jerusalem’s walls were broken and its gates burned, he left his comfortable position as cupbearer to the Persian king to take on a nearly impossible task. From the very beginning, Nehemiah led with prayer. Before he made plans, organized workers, or confronted enemies, he spent days fasting, weeping, and seeking God’s favor (Nehemiah 1:4). His leadership was bold because it was anchored in dependence on God.

Once in Jerusalem, Nehemiah faced relentless opposition. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked and ridiculed the project, questioning his motives and laughing at the thought of rebuilding. When ridicule failed, they threatened violence. Yet Nehemiah’s response was unwavering: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down” (Nehemiah 6:3). He refused to be distracted by fear or intimidation, because he knew God had called him.

Nehemiah’s leadership inspired the people to rise with courage. Families stood side by side, each repairing the section of wall in front of their homes. When threats of attack grew, Nehemiah organized the workers to carry tools in one hand and weapons in the other (Nehemiah 4:17). Fathers, sons, and neighbors literally stood in the gaps, defending their families while building God’s city. In just 52 days, against all odds, the wall was completed—a testimony to God’s strength and Nehemiah’s bold leadership.

His story reminds us that bold leadership is not about avoiding conflict but about staying faithful in the midst of it. It is about seeing God’s mission through, no matter the ridicule, threats, or obstacles. Bold leaders, like Nehemiah, anchor themselves in prayer and inspire others to take courage.

The Brave Truth: Bold leaders inspire courage in others by standing firm in God’s strength when everyone else wavers.

Ask yourself: where is God calling me to lead? Bold leadership is not reserved for generals, pastors, or CEOs—it begins in the everyday choices of fathers, husbands, coworkers, and friends. When you step up with faith, you invite others to do the same.

Action Step: Take one courageous leadership step this week, whether initiating a needed conversation, leading your family in prayer, or standing firm in truth at work.

Reflection Questions

1. Where is God calling me to lead boldly right now—at home, in my work, or in my church?
2. What fears or obstacles have caused me to shrink back from leadership?
3. How can I, like Nehemiah, anchor my leadership in prayer and inspire others to take their place on the wall?