Why Do Courage, Confidence, and Compassion Matter So Much?

This week at I Am Here, we’re asking: Why Do Courage, Confidence, and Compassion Matter So Much?

• Where does courage actually come from, especially when things feel tough?
  • Is confidence something that can be built, rather than something you’re born with?
  • Why does compassion matter so much in how we support one another?

Courage helps us speak up and show up. Confidence helps us trust ourselves to take the next step. Compassion reminds us that we’re not meant to do any of this alone.

Together, courage, confidence, and compassion shape healthier connected communities.

What Are We Watching This Week?

This week, we’re watching The BEST Place to Find Courage (It’s Not Where You Think) a short talk by Simon Sinek.

When things feel hard, our instinct is often to ‘be strong’, push through, or deal with things quietly on our own. This short talk gently challenges that idea.

Simon explores why courage doesn’t come from confidence or independence, but from connection. From knowing that someone has your back. From feeling safe enough to say ‘I’m not feeling ok; and I need to ask for help’.

It’s a timely reminder that courage is rarely a solo act—and that relationships are often the quiet force that help us keep going when things feel uncertain.

Watch the full video here (2-minute watch)

What Are We Reading This Week?

This week, we’re reading Confidence is a trick that can be taught, here’s how from BBC Science Focus.

The piece explores how neuroscience is helping us better understand self-belief, and why confidence isn’t fixed or reserved for a lucky few.

Clinical psychologist Ian Robertson describes confidence as something that grows through action: ‘Confidence is like compound interest. Exponentially, your small successes multiply into progressively bigger successes.’

Drawing on decades of research, he shares five practical ways to build confidence over time, showing how small wins, consistency, and environment all play a role

Read the full article here (6-minute read)

Who Are We Quoting This Week?

“If you want others to be happy, practise compassion. If you want to be happy, practise compassion.”

– Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness

Compassion sits at the heart of strong communities and it is bolstered by courage and confidence.

It’s what helps us notice one another, listen without judgement, and create spaces where it’s ok not to feel ok; and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help.

At I Am Here, we believe that courage, confidence, and compassion aren’t abstract ideas. They’re lived, everyday behaviours that help people feel safer, more connected, and more supported at work and beyond.

We would love to hear your thoughts. If you have a comment or reflection to share, simply reply to this email. We read every message and always appreciate hearing from our community.