Courage Inventory Helps Identify Career Turning Points

An article published by Fast Company introduces the concept of an 'inventory of courage,' a method for documenting career and life turning points that are not always solely successes but also encompass failures and hardships.

The article posits that building this inventory requires looking back and engaging in self-reflection. It is composed not only of significant mistakes or losses but also of smaller moments, such as a childhood experience of standing up to a bully. These experiences, both positive and negative, serve as evidence of past bravery and aid in trusting one's intuition.

The concept's proponent shares a personal example: after a 16-year academic career, she recognized herself admitting, 'I. Don't. Want. To. Do. This.' This moment, termed a 'flashpoint,' eventually led her to become an entrepreneur. Such instances, where a need for change is acknowledged without a clear plan, reinforce the capacity to confront future challenges.

The article also draws on the experiences of leadership coach Tony Martignetti, who left a 25-year finance career in biotech after witnessing inauthentic leadership. He emphasizes that these difficult moments should not be disregarded but learned from and integrated into future plans—following the principle of 'transcend and include.'

The purpose of the inventory of courage is to provide proof of having navigated unplanned situations. It helps connect past experiences with the present and rediscover one's potential when feeling fully alive and whole.