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COMMENT ON THIS VIDEO BY NTSAKO MASWANGANYI, ASSOCIATE, LEGITIMATE LEADERSHIP.
As a woman who wears many hats- wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, entrepreneur, coach, and leadership practitioner, I am constantly reminded that life will keep "lifeing". The beauty is that I get to choose how I respond when it tests me (which, if I am honest, is more often than I would like). In those moments, I am reminded that leadership isn't about being perfect, but about having the courage to be fully human.
This is why Dr Susan David's message in this talk resonates deeply with me: it is far better to acknowledge difficult emotions than to try to avoid or suppress them. As courage is one of the values I strive to live by, I often lean into Brené Brown's words: "Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen," especially in those imperfect, unpolished moments. As a former colleague of mine used to say, "show up, and choose to be present." That, to me, captures the essence of both emotional courage and leadership.
August 2026 – Dr Susan David is a psychologist, Harvard Medical School faculty member, and bestselling author of Emotional Agility. Her research focuses on resilience, emotional agility, and helping individuals and leaders respond to life’s challenges with greater self-awareness and intention.
As leaders, we often face situations that test not only our decision-making but also our emotional resilience. In her TED Talk, The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage, psychologist Dr Susan David explores the concept of emotional agility, or the ability to acknowledge our emotions without allowing them to control our behaviour.
Her research challenges the belief that effective leaders should suppress difficult emotions or always appear positive. Instead, she argues that true resilience comes from recognising our emotions, accepting them without judgement, and intentionally choosing responses that align with our values and purpose.
This resonates deeply with the Legitimate Leadership principle of Responding to Life.
Life continually presents us with unexpected challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty. While we cannot always choose our circumstances, we can choose how we respond. Legitimate leaders understand that their response influences not only their own wellbeing but also the confidence, trust, and resilience of those around them.
Responding to Life is about creating the space between what happens to us and how we choose to act. It is in that space that leadership is demonstrated. Leaders who pause, reflect, and respond with intention are better equipped to build trust, strengthen relationships, and enable others to grow, even during difficult times.
Rather than reacting emotionally or allowing circumstances to dictate behaviour, Legitimate Leadership encourages us to respond with Care & Growth, authenticity, and purpose. This creates environments where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to navigate challenges together.
Our Takeaway: Leadership is not defined by the challenges we face, but by the choices we make in response. By responding with intention rather than reacting on impulse, we create the conditions for trust, resilience, and meaningful growth, for ourselves and for those we lead.
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If your leaders or teams are navigating change, Legitimate Leadership offers practical Dealing With and Leading Change and Responding to Life Application Workshops that equip individuals with the mindset and skills to respond with confidence, resilience, and intention.
To find out more about these workshops and how they can support your organisation, contact us at info@legitimateleadership.com, and one of our team members will be in touch.
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