Every workplace faces moments of truth. Some are big and obvious, while others slip by unnoticed. What turns a stressful decision into one you can look back on with pride? It comes down to courage — not as a rare trait but as a skill anyone can learn and practice. This idea, championed by Brooke Deterline at TEDxPresidio, gives hope for what companies can become: places where values drive action, not just talk.
Why Courage Matters in the Workplace
Courage isn’t just the stuff of headlines; it shapes how teams work together and how organizations earn trust. Brooke Deterline began her talk by sharing the challenge of following Van Jones at a conference — a humorous reminder that courage starts in small, relatable moments.
But what is courage at work? It’s acting from our hearts in the face of fear. Whether it’s speaking truth to power or calling out a questionable practice, this courage isn’t reserved for heroes. Anyone can build it. Courage is a skill — and like any skill, it gets stronger with use.
The workplace often rewards results, not the effort to speak up. Yet, true progress comes from people who refuse to look the other way, even when it’s easier to join the crowd. Practicing courage benefits businesses and teams, fueling trust and innovation. To see why it matters, it helps to look at what happens when courage is missing.
For more on courage in the workplace, see Courage in the Workplace.
When No One Says “No”: Lessons from Ethical Failures
The Enron Scandal: A Case Study in Courage and Corruption
Take the infamous Enron fraud — a company whose collapse stemmed from systemic corruption. Enron’s downfall wasn’t the work of a few “bad apples.” The system was set up for checks and balances, but:
- Lawyers were supposed to say no,
- Accountants were supposed to say no,
- Bankers were supposed to say no.
But in each case, everyone stayed silent. No one said no. The result was unprecedented financial and personal ruin for thousands.
Brooke showed a sobering truth: it isn’t that the world lacks rules. What’s missing are people willing to use their voices. It doesn’t have to be this way. When regular people find their courage, they can stop harm before it spreads.
Are We Better Now?
Brooke dared the audience to reflect: Has much changed since Enron? Most people would say no. The uncomfortable fact is, ethical failures repeat because people often assume someone else will act.
Have you ever stayed silent when you should have spoken up? Many of us have. It’s easier to ignore the problem or hope someone else will step in. But change starts when we admit this pattern and decide to do something about it.
For a deeper look at how core values influence business, try Why Courage is Important in Business & Life.
Stories of Courage at Work
Ted’s Story: Rediscovering Values with a Friend’s Help
Brooke shared the story of Ted, who found illegal trading in his department. Overwhelmed, Ted did nothing at first. As the pressure grew, he decided to quit rather than confront the issue. Confused and scared, he turned to a friend in another department. That conversation changed everything.
Here’s how Ted’s journey unfolded:
- Discovery: Ted stumbles on an illegal trading ring in his department.
- Inaction: Paralyzed by confusion and fear, he does nothing.
- Confiding: He tells a trusted friend about his dilemma.
- Action: Prompted by his friend’s question — “Can you find the program if you go into the system?” — Ted recognized his responsibility. His friend’s faith in his values gave him the push he needed.
Ted remembered who he was and what mattered to him. With his friend’s support, he acted, and justice prevailed. The lesson is clear: sometimes, courage is sparked by a gentle reminder from someone who shares your values.
Brooke’s Own Test: Acting on Shared Values
Not all courage comes easily — even for those who teach it. Brooke described a time when she learned of unethical behavior by her company’s CEO. As she shared the news with her boss, the Chief Financial Officer, she expected decisive action. But he hesitated, suggesting they “do more research and give it time.” Everyone else in the room looked down or nodded, silently agreeing.
Brooke described her moment of doubt, wondering if maybe silence was the best path. But then, fate intervened. The CFO left the room for a moment, giving Brooke time to reflect. She remembered her purpose — that her leadership hired her to do the right thing, especially when it was tough.
When the CFO returned, Brooke spoke up.
“We should go to the Board.”
This time, her boss nodded, and they took action. The story sticks because it shows how easy it is to get pulled off course — and how powerful it is to create your own pause button and act on shared values.
The Science of Ethical Courage and Human Behavior
How Situational Influence Shapes Us: Lessons from the Stanford Prison Experiment
As Brooke pointed out, none of us are immune to situational influence. This is a universal truth—our brains are wired to prioritize belonging and security. But it also means we’re all at risk of betraying our values when the situation pressures us.
Dr. Phil Zimbardo’s famous Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971 proved this. Ordinary people, cast as guards and prisoners in a simulation, quickly started behaving in ways they never expected. Even good people can act unethically under pressure. The lessons of the experiment explain why systems fail unless people step up.
The takeaway: Natural human wiring makes us bystanders unless we work to interrupt the pattern.
The Bystander Effect: Why Silence Feels Safer
Picture this common scene at work: Someone makes an inappropriate joke in a meeting. Everyone knows it’s wrong, but nobody says a word. Afterward, you think, “Someone should have spoken up. Maybe I should have.” This is the bystander effect in action.
We’re wired to seek acceptance, sometimes at the cost of standing up for what’s right. Recognizing this tendency is the first step to change.
Ethical Fading: When Business Goals Blind Us
Under pressure, business objectives can blur the lines between right and wrong. This is ethical fading — when people focus so much on hitting targets that they stop noticing the ethical cost. Research out of Harvard shows that phrases like “This is business” often hide ethical shortcuts. The danger is real: ignoring small problems creates bigger ones later.
For more, see this overview on why courage has an important place in business right now.
Building Courage as a Skill: The Power of the Pause Button
What is the Magic Pause Button?
Between stimulus and response — between something happening and your reaction — lies a space. Brooke calls this the magic pause button. In that pause, you can remember your values, breathe, and choose your next step. This tool can turn fear into mindful action.
Imagine a simple animation:
- Something happens (stimulus)
- Pause (magic pause button)
- Mindful response (courageous action)
By building this habit, you can respond rather than react, even under stress.
Social Fitness Training: Practicing for Courage
Brooke’s Heroic Imagination Project uses Social Fitness Training, a set of methods created by Dr. Lynne Henderson. The goal: retrain your brain so you override your natural fear response and make acting from your values your default.
Here’s how anyone can start:
- Recognize your patterns: Notice where you easily speak up and where you stay silent.
- Practice the tough moments: Set up “social flight simulations” — practice situations that scare you, like role-playing tough conversations.
- Turn fear into a cue: Instead of seeing fear as a sign to stop, use it as your signal for mindful action.
Practicing these steps builds muscle memory. So when the real test comes, your brain is primed for action. This is the same principle pilots use when running simulations. The more often you practice mindful action, the more natural courage becomes.
Bringing It to Your Organization
These individual changes add up. When employees and leaders build their own pause buttons, entire organizations benefit. They become pattern interrupters — breaking old habits and setting new examples.
Benefits of developing courage at work include:
- Fewer ethical missteps and reduced risk
- Deeper trust among teams
- Higher engagement and better morale
- Stronger leadership credibility
Brave organizations don’t just avoid scandals; they create places where people want to do their best work.
Choosing Courage: A Call to Action
Every person is born with an innate capacity for courage. The difference is whether we decide to use it. Courage isn’t always heroic. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “That’s not right,” or standing by your values, even when it’s hard.
In today’s world, from business to politics, it matters. Each of us has a role in shaping cultures that value truth, trust, and ethical action. Brooke’s message is a call not just to hope for better but to practice and build the habits that make courage possible.
What pause button will you create today? Trust yourself to use it — it may be the most important skill you build this year.
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