PHOTO: Portmanteau Media

The Quiet
Ways Courage
Shows Up

BY JACKELYN GILL
WXN Media
SEPTEMBER 7, 2026

 

We tend to think of courage as something big.

A defining moment. A bold decision. A visible act.

But more often, it shows up quietly.

In the way you speak up.
In the way you keep going.
In the way you choose to show up, especially when it’s uncomfortable.

When we asked our Top 100 winners what courage looks like in practice, their answers weren’t dramatic.

They were lived.

Here’s what they shared.

 

 

1. Lead with who you actually are

Perfect leadership doesn’t exist, and it doesn’t work. What does work is authenticity. When you show up as yourself, you build real connection and trust.

“You have to be authentic. You have to be willing to show your vulnerability. I think that is the kind of leadership that people value and crave.”
-  Rona Ambrose

2. Keep giving what you’ve been given

Mentorship doesn’t end; it evolves. The support that helped you move forward becomes something you pass on to someone else.

“I’m still on this journey. I’m still learning, still growing, and still getting feedback.”
- Juggy Sihota

“Mentorship is a great way to share our hard-earned lessons in life!”
- Tanya Mushynski

3. Don’t try to do it alone

When everything feels uncertain, the people around you matter more than ever. The women who shared this didn’t build in isolation. They leaned on partners, teams, mentors, and communities who kept them grounded, challenged, and moving forward. A strong support system isn’t just helpful, it’s often what makes the work sustainable.

 

4. Build your capacity for joy

Happiness isn’t a byproduct. It’s something you build. And it has a ripple effect on everyone around you.

“Happiness actually spreads three degrees from us. So when we focus on our happiness and how we’re feeling, it affects the people we meet…”
-  Dr. Gillian Mandich

5. Ask bigger questions about change

Courage isn’t just individual, it’s collective. Sometimes the real question isn’t what you can do, but what needs to change at a larger level.

“Instead of asking how individuals can act, let’s ask how organizations can act.”
-  Dr. Ananya Mukherjee

6. Listen to voices that are often overlooked

Perspective matters, and so does who we listen to. When we make space for different experiences, we make better decisions.

“Listening is one of the most important gifts that you can give us.”
- Hebah Hussaina

7. Move forward—even when you’re not invited

Barriers exist. That’s real. But so is the choice to keep going anyway—to push back and create space where there wasn’t any.

“If you have any pushbacks, push it back.”
- Lavanya Hariharan

“Role models are very important and we need to see more diverse women in STEM, so that young women can see that they, too, can do this.”
- Doina Oncel

8. Leave the door open behind you

The path to leadership is rarely linear, and rarely easy. The women who spoke about this know that firsthand. What they emphasized wasn’t just navigating the path themselves, but making it more accessible for others along the way. Leaving the door open means sharing what you’ve learned, creating opportunities, and ensuring the next person doesn’t have to face the same barriers alone.

 

9. Help others see themselves in what’s possible

Representation matters. When people can see themselves reflected in success, it changes what they believe is possible.

“When we see it, we can be it.”
- Jennifer Harper

 

Courage isn’t always visible.

But it’s always there. In the choices you make, the way you show up, and the space you create for others along the way.