Courage and Vulnerability Part II: Grounded Confidence and the Rumble

Practicing courage and vulnerability requires grounded confidence, which we
define this way: Grounded Confidence = Rumble Skills + Curiosity + Practice.

Rumbles skills are tools that help us engage and stay in hard
conversations, and they are based on curiosity or “being a learner”
versus “being a knower.”

Researchers are finding evidence that curiosity is correlated with
creativity, intelligence, improved learning and memory, and problem
solving. A study published in the October 22, 2014, issue of the journal
Neuron suggests that the brain’s chemistry changes when we become
curious, helping us better learn and retain information. But curiosity
requires courage because it’s uncomfortable and it involves uncertainty
and vulnerability.

Developing shared language, skills, and tools is helpful when we practice courage (feeling brave and afraid at the exact same time) and when we show
up for tough conversations.

A rumble is as a discussion, conversation, or meeting with a shared
commitment to lean into vulnerability, stay curious and generous, stick with the messy middle of problem identification and solving, take a break or time out if needed and circle back when necessary, be honest in owning our parts, and listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard.

More than anything else, when someone says, “Let’s rumble,” it cues us to show up with open hearts and minds so we can have a productive conversation that strengthens relationships and the community, rather than just meeting our own needs.

This resource is part of a collection of courage-building concepts and tools that can be integrated into the classroom. You can explore more of these resources here.