Be Courageous if You Want to be Confident

First, welcome to the Courage Creatives community! My hope is that this newsletter helps you either gain the courage to overcome your fears/impostor syndrome or continue nurturing the courage you’ve already earned on this journey called life.

Fear Doesn’t Discriminate

What do Walt Disney, Malala Yousafzai, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams — and all of us — have in common?

FEAR & FAILURE.

I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t failed. Not even sports G.O.A.T.s like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams, who have lost many games before winning their most celebrated titles. Oh, and not even Walt Disney, who was famously fired from his first newspaper job for lacking imagination (you read that right, imagination, which is now what Disney is famous for).

And, I certainly haven’t heard of anyone who’s made an impact in this world without feeling fear — including Malala Yousafzai, the 2014 Nobel Prize winner who risked everything (including her life) to advocate for women's education.

Why Courage is Better than Confidence

I know two people who taught me a lot about the difference between courage and confidence—let’s call them Anna & Bea.

Anna was a well-recognized manager in a prestigious organization — the kind of person who exudes confidence. From the way she walked, to her polished power-dressing, to her poised and articulate speech — she was confidence in human form.

Bea came to the U.S. on a work visa and struggled in her first year. Her accent was often criticized, her petite height made it hard for her to command respect in the classroom, and she avoided photos, afraid they would capture what she saw as her flaws. At first glance, you’d probably assume Anna had more courage than Bea — but their actions told a different story.

When faced with a life-changing opportunity, here’s what happened:

• Anna earned awards and accolades in her job within an organization that violates the very values she lives by such as creativity, fairness, and integrity, but when offered a dream role by another organization — one more aligned with who she is — she turned it down. Fear and self-doubt about the unknown kept her rooted in comfort, even at the cost of her principles.
  

• Bea faced constant insecurity and even betrayal in a past relationship, yet she kept moving forward. Drawing strength from her small circle of friends, her faith, and family back home, she found the courage to stay in the U.S., build a life she was proud of, meet the love of her life, and eventually start her own small business.

So who had more courage? Clearly, it was Bea. Despite her fears and perceived limitations, she kept taking bold steps toward a life that felt authentic and fulfilling.

Meanwhile, Anna — despite her outward confidence and professional success — stayed stuck in a situation that didn’t align with her true self. She numbed her dissatisfaction with distractions like travel, spa appointments, and food binging while her physical and mental health quietly suffered.

Bea, on the other hand, thrived. She found love, built a business, and inspired others to pursue their own dreams.

This is the power of courage. It leads to a more satisfying life and a sense of inner peace — the kind that comes from aligning our actions with our authentic selves (Kreber, 2010).

Confidence is a By-Product of Courage

Bea’s story shows us that even when confidence is lacking, courage can still move us forward — and eventually, that courage builds the confidence we need to keep taking bigger risks and realizing our potential.

In the business world, this is especially true. As Newman et al. (2019) explain:

"A courageous entrepreneur will determine the level of risk associated with the goals for the business and possible outcomes. In turn, this courage to start and pursue an entrepreneurial venture can help the entrepreneur build confidence, find a different path if the initial one is no longer viable (hope), persevere and bounce back from setbacks (resilience), and maintain a positive outlook (optimism)."

In other words, when we focus on developing courage, we naturally cultivate the confidence required to reach our goals and become who we’re truly meant to be.

Malala Didn’t Wait for Courage, She Led with It

"She was just a child who loved books, living in the Swat Valley in northwest Pakistan when the Taliban arrived and banned and bombed schools for girls. They threw acid in the faces of students as women in the streets hid their faces. But not Malala. She had the powerful certainty that getting her education was her whole life" (Faris, 2013).

Malala Yousafzai didn’t wait for confidence to take action — she led with courage.

Moreover, her courage wasn’t rooted in confidence — after all, how can you be confident when the odds are so overwhelmingly against you? Her courage likely came from hope, from a thirst for knowledge, and from an unshakable belief that education could change the world.

"We are starving for education," Malala told ABC News' Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview. "For us, it's like a precious gift. It's like a diamond" (Faris, 2013).

Even when faced with unimaginable danger, her courage pushed her forward:

"They cannot stop me. I will get my education, if it is in [the] home, school, or anyplace" (Faris, 2013).

Malala reminds us that courage doesn’t always feel fearless — sometimes, it’s about taking action even when fear is present.

It’s Time to Build Your Courage

You don’t have to be Malala — or even Bea — to want more courage and confidence in your life.

Whether you’ve just subscribed to our newsletter, tuned into our Courageously Speaking podcast, or are planning to join our upcoming workshops, you’ve already taken the first step. You’ve found a community committed to helping you practice courage in a safe, supportive, and creative space.

So, what’s your next bold step? Whatever it is, we’ll be right here cheering you on.

Faris, S. (2013, October 11). Malala Yousafzai never felt fear until she was shot, but pursued learning anyway. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/WorldNews/malala-yousafzai-felt-fear-time-pursued-learning/story?id=20497662.

Kreber, C. (2010). Authenticity in and through teaching in higher education: The transformative potential of the scholarship of teaching. Routledge.

Newman, A., Ucbasaran, D., Zhu, F., & Hirst, G. (2019). Psychological capital: A review and synthesis. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40(1), 28–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2321.

Maria Soriano, M.E.d., SHRM-CP is a dynamic leader, storyteller, and advocate for courageous living. As the CEO & Founder of Courage Creatives, she is dedicated to helping people break through fear, find clarity, and take bold steps toward personal and professional growth. Within this brand, Maria also serves as a practical success and wellness coach and a sought-after host/emcee for community and corporate events, bringing energy, insight, and authenticity to every space she enters.

To compliment her creative side, Maria is a SHRM-certified HR pro and career matchmaker who started a white-glove boutique talent agency, GoodHire Recruitment, where she and her team connect organizations with top-tier talent and help people find purpose-driven careers.

With over a decade of experience in Higher Education, Maria also currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, shaping the next generation of educators and leaders. She extends her passion for storytelling as the host and producer of the Courageously Speaking Podcast, where she dives into real, unfiltered conversations on resilience, leadership, and personal transformation.

Beyond her professional roles, Maria is a singer-songwriter, using music as a powerful tool for inspiration and connection. She sometimes collaborates with her musician husband, blending their love for music into something deeply personal and uplifting.

At the heart of everything she does, Maria champions courage—helping others embrace uncertainty, take risks, and navigate challenges with confidence and authenticity.

Whether through coaching, teaching, speaking, or performing, Maria empowers people to step into their boldest, most fulfilled selves.

Need a hand in finding your COURAGE? Schedule your free 30-minute complimentary consultation with Courage Creatives founder, Maria Soriano, M.Ed., SHRM-CP.