Borrowed Courage — Words to Hold Onto When the Noise Gets Loud
A strength library of history’s most powerful words to steady your mind, silence the noise, and help you rise, lead, and stay in the arena when leadership feels heavy.
There are moments in leadership — and in life — when your own voice feels tired.
When the criticism gets louder than the purpose.
When the work becomes public.
When the pressure builds.
When the arena feels exposed.
When you start wondering if the noise means you should step back.
Those are the moments we don’t always need new motivation.
Sometimes, we need borrowed courage.
Words from people who stood in their own storms.
Voices from those who led, fought, persisted, and stayed when it would have been easier to walk away.
For me, it has always been “The Man in the Arena” by Theodore Roosevelt.
Not the critic.
Not the commentator.
Not the anonymous voice in the stands.
The one who counts is the one in the arena — face marred by sweat, effort, and courage.
When the court of public opinion starts swirling…
When championships arrive and my work becomes more visible…
When leadership feels heavy…
That is the reminder I return to:
The critics don’t determine your worth. The arena does.
But Roosevelt is not the only voice we can lean on. History has left us a library of strength — speeches and words we can return to depending on the kind of hard day we are having.
Let’s build that Strength Library.
When You Need Courage to Keep Going
(For grit, endurance, and staying the course)
These are the voices for when quitting feels easier than continuing. When you are tired, misunderstood, or standing in the middle of something difficult — and you need the reminder to keep going anyway.
Theodore Roosevelt — “The Man in the Arena”
A grounding reminder that the only opinions that matter come from those who dare greatly.Winston Churchill — “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”
A declaration of persistence in the face of overwhelming odds.Martin Luther King Jr. — “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”
A powerful reflection on purpose, courage, and faith in the journey ahead.Harriet Tubman — Words and legacy of perseverance
A reminder that bravery often means moving forward in uncertainty.Lou Gehrig — Farewell Address
Perspective, grace, and gratitude even in hardship.
When You Need Confidence in Who You Are
(For identity, self-worth, and standing tall)
These are the voices for when the world tries to shrink you, label you, or make you question your place.
Maya Angelou — “Still I Rise”
A declaration of resilience, identity, and refusal to be diminished.Eleanor Roosevelt — “The Struggle for Human Rights”
A reminder that your voice belongs in rooms where decisions are made.Sojourner Truth — “Ain’t I a Woman?”
Strength, truth, and standing firm in identity.Serena Williams — Reflections on legacy and strength
Redefining power, leadership, and womanhood.
When Leadership Feels Lonely
(For pressure, visibility, and responsibility)
Leadership can be isolating. These are the voices for when you are carrying weight that others may not fully understand.
Nelson Mandela — Inaugural Address (1994)
Grace and strength after hardship.John F. Kennedy — “We Choose to Go to the Moon”
Belief in possibility, even when the path is uncertain.Jacinda Ardern — Christchurch Address
Compassionate leadership in times of crisis.Angela Merkel — Leadership through steadiness
Calm strength when the world feels chaotic.
When You Need Hope
(For vision, belief, and brighter days ahead)
These are the voices for when you need light — when the future feels uncertain but the mission still matters.
Martin Luther King Jr. — “I Have a Dream”
Faith in a better future, even when today is hard.Barack Obama — “The Audacity of Hope”
A belief in possibility and progress.Malala Yousafzai — United Nations Speech (Age 16)
A reminder that one voice can change the world.Amanda Gorman — “The Hill We Climb”
Rising forward, rebuilding, and hope through adversity.
When You Need Fire
(For energy, motivation, and getting back up)
These are the words for when you need to stand up again — when life has knocked you down and you need the strength to keep fighting.
Al Pacino — “Inch by Inch” (Any Given Sunday)
A reminder that progress happens one step at a time.Rocky Balboa — “It Ain’t About How Hard You Hit”
Persistence and resilience in the face of hardship.Steve Jobs — Stanford Commencement Address
Courage to follow your own path.Brené Brown — “The Power of Vulnerability”
Strength found in authenticity and showing up fully.
The Reminder We All Need
When the work becomes visible.
When the pressure builds.
When the noise gets loud.
When leadership feels exposed.
Come back to this:
Not the critic.
Not the commentator. Not the voices in the stands.
The arena.
The effort.
The courage.
The showing up.
History rarely remembers the loudest voices watching from the sidelines.
It remembers the ones who stepped forward — even when it was hard.
So when your voice feels tired, borrow strength from those who came before you.
Then take a breath.
Lift your head.
And step back into the arena.
