We often mistake courage for the absence of fear, but true bravery is actually a learnable skill that anyone can master. In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Visa CMO Frank Cooper III sits down with Harvard Business School Professor and Author Ranjay Gulati, author of the groundbreaking new book, How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage. Why Watch This Video? Redefine Fear: Learn why courage isn't about being fearless like James Bond, but about "resourcing" yourself when you feel afraid. Build Your Courage Muscle: Discover why courage is a learnable skill that is built one small step at a time, rather than a single "threshold" moment. Practical Strategies: Explore "Emotional Self-Regulation" and how rituals — like checklists used by pilots or surgeons — can help you stay calm under pressure. Break the Self-Narrative: Understand how small acts of bravery can shift your internal identity from "cautious" to "capable." Lead Through Uncertainty: Insights for leaders on balancing psychological safety with accountability to foster a culture of bold action. Gulati shares how he transformed a personal "hobby project" into a deep dive into the human psyche, exploring why we often live lives defined by fear rather than our dreams. From his father's military service in India to the high-stakes world of modern CEOs and elite sports, Gulati breaks down the "unlocks" that allow us to take decisive action in the face of uncertainty. 00:00 – 1:52 – Introduction 1:53 – 4:22 – The Face of Fear 4:23 – 5:09 – Dispelling the Myths of Our Hollywood Heroes 5:10 – 6:30 – Rebuilding Your Relationship with Fear 6:31 – 9:03 – The Fine Line Between Courage & Recklessness 9:04 – 12:44 – Staying Calm in the Face of Fear 12:45 – 14:17 – Being Connected to Something Bigger Than Yourself 14:18 – 17:15 – How Courage Shows Up in Leadership 17:16 – 19:32 – How to Summon Your Courage in Everyday Situations 19:33 – 22:09 – Building Courage Like a Muscle 22:10 – 24:12 – Living Without Regrets 24:14 – 25:03 – Courage Rarely Happens Alone 25:04 – 27:02 – Creating a Culture of Boldness 27:03 – 28:09 – Doing Nothing is a Decision 28:10 – 29:34 – Small Steps Into the Unknown 29:35 – 30:36 – Becoming Who You Want To Be Read more about our conversation here: [INCLUDE LINK TO NEWSLETTER ONCE PUBLISHED] Follow Frank Cooper III: LinkedIn: (link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-cooper-iii-0501a66/) Twitter: (link: https://x.com/f3cooper) Newsletter: (link: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/frankly-speaking-7441867408874573824/) Follow Ranjay Gulati: Instagram: (link: https://www.instagram.com/ranjaygulati/) Twitter: (link: https://x.com/RanjayGulati) LinkedIn: (link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranjay-gulati/) Website: (link: https://ranjaygulati.com/)

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