Tool no.88 - Four Levels of Courage

This m21 tool is a rhetorical device intended to encourage a more creative, positive attitude

May be used when giving a talk or lecture, especially to an audience who are pessimistic or uncreative.
Tell them that, if we all believe that something is impossible, it will remain impossible
Explain that the change from impossibility to possibility is very easy - but that it requires courage
Ask the audience how courageous they are...
Outline the notion of 4 levels of courage - using the following scenarios, in turn.
- 1. You see a house on fire...afraid of getting burned you nevertheless run inside and carry the children to safety
- 2. You witness a brutal assault by a gang of known villains...you report them and identify them in court
- 3. You deeply disapprove of supermarkets but you must buy some food....you walk 7 miles to find a small shop
- 4. You seriously doubt whether political/economic change is possible...but you try hard to imagine a better alternative
Point out that reform only happens after they become 'thinkable' (i.e. when people are capable of imagining it)
If we do not try to imagine something unprecedented, it will may remain unthinkable
Once it is thinkable to many people it will have a high chance of becoming reality

When people lack intellectual and/or emotional courage they are said to be pessimistic
When this is the case they have a lower chance of seeing what is hidden, but possible
If they cannot see opportunities they will be unable to take advantage of them

TO BE COMPLETED

JW on 25th February 2008, after speaking with individuals in the m21 team and elsewhere

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