Since we’re not blank canvases and are deeply influenced by the systems we occupy, I often wonder what this ever-shifting, perpetual current of change calls us to embrace—and what possibilities might arise from that adaptation. In certain spaces, I hear, “We were built for these times.” Evolution shows we are, indeed, a highly adaptive species. 

Yet I still wonder—what will be the cost or the reward of these adaptations? There is a spectrum between these two points, though we often assume something must be lost to gain something else. Yunkaporta writes that every approach holds two sides of the same coin—dyads that are always in flux—and that our understanding of what came before, continually influencing the present, must be woven into the narrative.

As our reality shifts in response to changing perspectives, uncertainty often follows. Most of you reading this will agree that we are living in profoundly uncertain times. I’ve been asking myself, “If I am built for these times, how is that calling me to respond?”

When establishing this coaching and consulting practice, I spent weeks thinking about its name. Initially, I wanted Lionheart—a word that embodies courage and bravery. After discovering it was already taken (Dah, I wasn’t the only one drawn to the idea of courage through collaboration), I began to play with alternatives. That’s when BETA came to me: Brave Enough To Act. In the tech world, beta refers to testing—a hypothesis in motion, which in some ways is what happens when coaching/consulting with clients. Assumptions are being tested. 

So, in our everyday moments, both mundane and extraordinary, how are we being called to act in ways that reflect our most courageous selves? To take that small step when we hear the whisper to…

“Speak up.”

“Stand with.”

“Do the difficult.”

“Ask the question no one wants to ask.”

“Listen. Listen. Listen.”

“Say sorry.”

“Start again.”

Balance of Critical Thinking and Awareness

At the heart of courage lies balance—the interplay between critical thinking and emotional awareness. Courageous action requires a deliberate approach: questioning assumptions, reasoning through logic, acknowledging emotions as they arise, seeking diverse perspectives, and listening to intuition.

We live within multiple systems—the original system (family), the education system, the organizations we work in, the healthcare systems we navigate, and the financial systems that shape our stability. Understanding how we relate to these systems, and strengthening those relationships, is fundamental to our well-being.

Having observed many leaders’ approach to breakthrough thinking, I’ve noticed a recurring tendency to move forward first and worry about the consequences later. While that mindset may occasionally work with some innovation, it often proves disastrous when applied to complex ecosystem problems involving social and economic impact—the very challenges we are striving to address. Of course, this observation is made without the privilege of full insight into the inner workings behind these decisions, while realizing some of their impact. 

Lately, I’ve been curious about how leaders might adopt a more deliberative, systems-thinking approach—one that explores the layers beneath quick fixes and rapid responses. Too often, we “jump to the first conclusion,” selecting evidence that confirms prior beliefs.