In this powerful episode of the Female Executive Survival Guide podcast, host Lauren Eyles is joined by courage and leadership expert Dr. Margie Warrell, author of The Courage Gap. This conversation is a must-listen for any female leader looking to navigate her career with greater confidence and conviction. Lauren and Margie explore the critical role of courage in leadership, diving deep into how fear can impact our decisions and hold us back. Margie shares transformative insights from her book, teaching us how our brains respond to fear and, more importantly, how to break free from its grip. They discuss the hidden costs of avoiding courage and provide practical, actionable steps to cultivate bravery in every aspect of your life. This episode will inspire you to embrace discomfort, focus on what you truly want, and step into the leader you are meant to be. It’s an empowering roadmap for turning fear into a vehicle for growth and achieving your goals.   Key Takeaways for Female Leaders Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite it. Understand your brain's response to fear to make more confident decisions. The cost of avoiding courage is often greater than the risk of stepping up. Embrace discomfort as a sign of growth and a path to new opportunities. Shift your focus from your fears to your desired outcomes to expand your possibilities.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Courage in Leadership 02:06 The Role of Fear in Leadership 04:56 Understanding the Cost of Avoiding Courage 08:00 Navigating Conversations and Contexts 10:54 The Five Steps to Courage 13:35 Embodying Courage in Leadership 16:31 Learning from Past Experiences 19:42 The Importance of Vulnerability 22:32 Conclusion and Key Takeaways   Bio: Dr Margie Warrell Margie Warrell is an international best-selling author and leadership expert. Courage is her specialty, from climbing mountains, to raising four children while moving around the world, to helping Fortune 500 leaders manage fear and navigate risk. She is committed to “braver leadership for a better world” and recently published her sixth book, The Courage Gap. You can connect with Margie via her website, LinkedIn, or Instagram. The Courage Gap is available in bookstores and on Amazon.   Bio: Lauren Eyles Lauren Eyles, Producer and Host of the Female Executive’s Survival Guide, inspires and supports women to thrive in leadership. As an Executive Coach and Mentor she is a trusted guide to new and experienced Executives, helping them navigate times of growth and change. She loves helping leaders find calm amid chaos, using her extensive experience as a Board Chair, Non Executive Director and Executive Leader. Lauren started this podcast to support and inspire women in their first few years of executive leadership, as she found that being the only woman on the senior leadership team was a bit lonely. Lauren is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has an MBA (Distinction), a Master of Sustainability and qualifications in coaching, change management, communication and project management. Lauren would love to hear what you think of the podcast and what topics you'd like her to cover next. Please reach out via LinkedIn or Instagram.   Keywords Women in Leadership Courage Leadership Skills Female Leadership Empowerment The Courage Gap Dr. Margie Warrell Lauren Eyles Personal Growth Resilience