Mary Olson-Menzel: What inspired you to write your book?
Ryan Berman: I wrote the book because I believe courageous ideas are the only ones that matter. As an observationalist, I was surprised to discover that it’s almost impossible for an organization to accept a courageous idea without a courageous leader driving a courageous culture.
Mary Olson-Menzel: What is your definition of courage? in the workplace?
Ryan Berman: Simply stated: knowledge + faith + action = courage. It has to have all 3 levers. If not, it’s something else; which is covered in detail in “Return on Courage”.
Mary Olson-Menzel: What surprises did you discover while writing the book?
Ryan Berman: Too many to list. This book is very much inked like a documentary. When I didn’t have an answer I went in search of people who did. I interviewed “the 3 B’s” — the brave, the bullish and the brainiac. Within my interviews, I learned how our standard operating system is set for nervousness. Most of us are scared and stuck. The goal of the book is to teach you how to separate yourself from that standard.
Mary Olson-Menzel: Which companies do you think really get it right?
Ryan Berman: Lots of names you know. Apple. Google. Netflix. Dominos. Method. Amazon. The common theme is their ability to reinvent themselves to stay relevant.
Mary Olson-Menzel: What does it take to be a courageous leader?
Ryan Berman: Someone who’s willing to follow his/her point of view and still create conviction and Believers inside the organization.
Mary Olson-Menzel: If you could give leadership advice to a young adult coming out of college what would it be? Someone in mid-career? An executive or CEO?
Ryan Berman: It’s the same answer for all 3 and covered extensively in the book. Know yourself fully and then surround yourself with people that share your values but bring breadth of experience. Life is truly about finding your raft mates and there’s only so many spots on the raft. And, if you’re not communicating with your raft mates, that raft will go nowhere.
Mary Olson-Menzel: What advice do you wish someone had given you in your career?
Ryan Berman: Find and declare a mentor as fast a possible. Don’t be stubborn. Ask for help.
Mary Olson-Menzel: How can we all take small steps every day to be courageous in our own lives?
Ryan Berman: Take daily action toward your goals. In order to goal set you need the right skill set and mind set.
