Seemingly small acts that have incremental impact over time and provide long-term returns —

are key to unlocking a courageous mindset.

It is not about taking a few big risks but about pushing myself each day to get outside of my comfort zone.

Early in her career at Unilever, Leena Nair often found herself in rooms with very few women.

It felt intimidating to speak up. She came up with a method to encourage her own micro acts of courage.

Leena Nair –

– I used to have a little book in which every time I spoke up, I would draw a star.

– If I opened my mouth five times, then I would draw five stars.

– If I made a point that really resonated, I gave myself double stars.

By doing this, I kept myself accountable.

These micro acts led to long-term rewards. Nair rose to become the first female, first Asian,

and youngest-ever CHRO of Unilever, and then went on to become CEO of Chanel.

Courage begets courage. It’s a muscle that gets stronger each time you use it, no matter how small the act.

I remember reading somewhere…‘Courage does not always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.’

As Anaïs Nin, a twentieth-century French-Cuban-American diarist and writer, said:

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

Courage precedes abundance. Wishing all of us a life of courage and abundance.