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First Comes Courage

Courage isn't a personality trait you were born with or without. It's trainable. The course version of Sonia's third book: fourteen modules that treat courage as a practice, finishing with a pledge.
  • For: Anyone who wants to lead with courage
  • Duration:  14 self-paced modules
  • Includes:  The ebook + companion workbook + 3 months of Worksparks
  • By: The Leadership Association
  • Leaders taught: 4,000+ over 18 years

Is First Comes Courage for you?

Holding back

You know what you want to say or do, but something stops you every time.

Leading through hard moments

You want the courage for difficult conversations, unpopular decisions and leading with kindness.

Building it with others

Work through it alone, with a courage partner or with your whole team.

Learning around a full diary

Self-paced, with lifetime access on any device. Fourteen short modules you can fit around your week.
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What's included?

  • Fourteen modules of courage

    From what holds you back to your own Courage Pledge: courageous leadership, the Courage Compass, kindness, impact, purpose, resilience, teams and the courage to be unpopular.
  • Companion workbook

    Exercises and check-ins for every chapter, so you build your own courageous formula step by step and finish with a plan you'll act on.
  • Alone, with a partner or as a team

    Work through it on your own, with a courage partner, or with your whole team. It follows Sonia's book First Comes Courage, and the ebook is included. Plus 3 months of Worksparks AI leadership coaching, so you have a coach in your pocket between modules. We’ll email you a link to set up your access.
About us

The Leadership Association

The Leadership Association runs award-winning online programs for every stage of leading, grounded in neuroscience and built from real work with more than 4,000 leaders over 18 years. This program brings TLA founder Sonia McDonald's book First Comes Courage to life. Sonia is CEO of LeadershipHQ, has spent 35 years developing leaders, and is also the author of Leadership Attitude and Just Rock It!

In their words

The Leadership HQ’s Online Self-Paced Program has already added so much value to myself and my fellow division leaders at Lauxes Grates. Sonia has a beautiful way of delivering the content that makes sense to a wide variety of individuals, bringing them together over a common goal: being courageous, kind and authentic leaders.
Alma Gerbavec, Culture Division Leader, Lauxes Grates HQ
You created an environment where the group could have open conversations, learn from one another, and feel comfortable contributing. You are an outstanding facilitator, and it was an absolute pleasure having you guide us through the program.
Darren Ludlow, Team Leader, State Revenue Office Victoria
I’ve taken away some useful tools and resources and it has helped me to refocus and re-prioritise. I also enjoyed the time to spend with peers from other branches and hear about their challenges, experiences and different approaches.
Felicity Beaton, Team Leader, State Revenue Office Victoria

Frequently asked questions

How long does the First Comes Courage course take?

Fourteen self-paced modules. Do one a week, or move faster if you're working through it with a partner or team.

Do I need the First Comes Courage book?

The course follows Sonia's book First Comes Courage chapter by chapter, and the ebook is included. The companion workbook has the exercises and check-ins.

Is First Comes Courage only for leaders?

No. It's for anyone who wants to lead with courage, at work or in life. Courage isn't a trait you were born with or without. It's trainable.

Can we do First Comes Courage as a team?

Yes. It's built to work with a whole team, and LeadershipHQ can also deliver First Comes Courage in-house with facilitated sessions. Book a free call below to talk it through.
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Want a braver team? Let's talk it through.

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