Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
What would change in your team if you found the courage to say what you’ve been holding back?
I often ask myself this question. Over the years, I’ve learnt that bravery in leadership doesn’t always mean charging into danger. More often, it’s about having the courage to speak when it would feel easier to stay quiet. That single act of courage can shift the way a team communicates, performs, and trusts one another. Being brave is what creates better teams and I want to share with you how to take those steps with confidence.
Admit the fear but speak anyway
Every leader feels it. The voice in your head that says, “Don’t rock the boat.” I’ve heard it many times myself. But if we wait until the fear disappears, we’ll wait forever. Bravery isn’t the absence of fear, it’s action in spite of it. When you feel that hesitation, take a breath and speak anyway. That first word is the hardest, but it opens the door to honesty. As I shared in silence isn’t safety, avoiding tough conversations rarely makes things safer, it usually makes them worse.
Focus on honesty not perfection
People often hold back because they want their words to be perfect. But perfection isn’t the point, honesty is. When I admit I don’t have all the answers, it gives others permission to do the same. That’s how trust grows. Brave voices don’t come from polished speeches; they come from authentic, sometimes messy truths. Research like this article on building a culture of openness shows that teams value honesty over flawless delivery. So say it as it is. That’s how better conversations begin.
Create safety for others
Courage is contagious. When leaders show bravery, teams follow. One of the most powerful ways to build brave teams is to model it first. Thank people when they speak up. Reward the effort, not just the outcome. Show them you value their voice even if you don’t agree with it. Over time this builds what I’ve described before in making others feel safe to speak. If you want brave voices, you must show your team that speaking up won’t be punished,it will be respected.
Turn small acts of courage into habits
Bravery isn’t a one-off event. It’s a practice. The more we do it, the stronger the habit becomes. Start small. Share an idea you’ve been holding back. Admit when you’ve made a mistake. Ask a difficult question. Each time you do, you stretch your capacity for courage. Studies like this one on psychological safety and team performance show that repeated acts of courage create an environment where people take risks, learn, and grow. And isn’t that what we want from our teams?
Connect courage to trust
When people see you being brave, they trust you more. Trust isn’t built by avoiding hard truths. It’s built by showing up with courage. I call this the trust dividend, the return you get from investing in honest conversations. As explored in the true cost of silence in the workplace, avoiding what needs to be said breaks trust faster than any mistake ever could. Being brave enough to speak up even when it’s uncomfortable is how leaders deepen trust and build stronger teams.
Back your bravery with action
Words are powerful, but they must be followed by action. If your team speaks up and nothing changes, they won’t do it again. If you ask for honesty but react defensively, they’ll learn to stay silent. Bravery means listening with an open mind and then acting. Whether that’s fixing an issue, changing a process, or simply acknowledging the courage it took to speak, action shows people their voice matters. As one study on employee voice found, people are more likely to contribute again if they see their input has an effect.
Why bravery builds better teams
Being brave isn’t about being loud or forceful. It’s about being honest, vulnerable, and willing to face discomfort for the sake of growth. Teams thrive on these qualities. They learn faster, they innovate, and they trust each other more deeply. I’ve worked with leaders who were once hesitant to speak up, but who transformed their workplaces once they found the courage to do so. Those small acts of bravery ripple out, shaping the culture and the future of the team.
Your next step
If you’re ready to take bravery seriously, I’d invite you to join me at the speak safe workshop. It’s where we practise these steps together and give you the tools to create a culture where speaking up is the norm.
And if you’d like to talk about how to bring this into your own organisation, please reach out through the contact page or book me directly via book anton. Bravery is the choice every leader can make today.
The only question is: Will you take that step?
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