Podcast Summary: Courage Comes First. Confidence Comes Later | Ep 302

Podcast Information:

• Title: Build with Leila Hormozi
• Host: Leila Hormozi
• Description: How can you create an unshakeable business? Leila Hormozi shares lessons learned from scaling big businesses and growing acquisition.com into a billion-dollar portfolio. Join her as she helps entrepreneurs build and scale their ventures. New episodes every Monday & Wednesday!
• Episode: Courage Comes First. Confidence Comes Later | Ep 302
• Release Date: July 28, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 302 of Build with Leila Hormozi, host Leila Hormozi delves deep into the interplay between courage and confidence, emphasizing that "courage comes first. Confidence comes later" (00:02). Recording this episode while on a treadmill, Leila sets the stage for an authentic and energetic discussion on why courage is the foundational element for personal and professional growth.

Defining Courage vs. Confidence

Courage as a Choice: Leila begins by demystifying courage, asserting that it is not an innate personality trait but a conscious choice. She shares, "Courage is a choice that you make. When I was younger, I was terrified. I avoided hard things, dodging anything that triggered my anxiety" (00:02). This realization has been pivotal in her journey, especially in the last six months, where she consistently faced new and challenging situations by choosing courage over comfort.

Courage vs. Confidence: Leila distinguishes between courage and confidence by describing courage as the input and confidence as the output. "Confidence is what you get after you've done the hard thing. Courage is what gets you to do it in the first place" (03:15). She emphasizes that confidence is built through repeated acts of courage, reinforcing that one does not require confidence to act courageously; rather, courage leads to the development of confidence.

Personal Journey and Insights

Overcoming Fear: Leila candidly shares her personal struggles with fear and anxiety, highlighting that courage involves acting in the presence of fear. "Courage is taking action in the presence of fear, not in the absence of it" (01:30). She recounts moments where she stepped into rooms unqualified and faced judgment, underscoring that her achievements stemmed from these courageous choices.

Building Resilience: Through continuous courageous actions, Leila explains how she built an unshakeable sense of confidence. "After about 75 seconds on stage, I calmed down. That is using courage to build confidence" (12:45). These experiences taught her that enduring the initial fear leads to greater self-assurance and resilience.

Misconceptions About Courage

Courage Isn't Fearlessness: A common misconception addressed by Leila is equating courage with the absence of fear. She clarifies, "Courage does not exist without fear. If you have no fear, you have no courage" (04:50). This challenges the notion that the brave are those who never feel fear, highlighting that true courage is about facing fear head-on.

Myth of Innate Courage: Leila dispels the myth that courage is an inherent trait. She shares her childhood inclination towards anxiety and how she had to "work so hard to get to where I am" (02:40). This underscores that anyone can cultivate courage through deliberate actions and choices.

Building Courage: Practical Steps

Start Small: Leila advocates for building courage incrementally, much like training a muscle. "Courage is trainable. Start with small acts of bravery, like speaking your truth in a meeting or making difficult calls" (21:10). She encourages listeners to begin with manageable challenges to gradually strengthen their courage.

Consistent Practice: Just as physical muscles require regular exercise, courage demands consistent practice. "If you want to build courage, do it consistently. Like doing three reps of glute kickbacks, start with three courageous acts a week" (25:30). This repetition helps in forming a robust courage muscle that can handle larger challenges over time.

Embrace Discomfort: Leila emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort as a signal of growth. "Discomfort is a signal that you're stretching and growing. Change doesn't occur without tension" (17:55). By reframing discomfort as a positive indicator, individuals can better navigate the challenges that come with personal and professional development.

Courage in Leadership and Growth

Leadership Requires Courage: In leadership roles, courage is indispensable. Leila explains, "The higher you go, the more courage is required to get there. Leading others means making tough decisions that may not always be popular" (29:00). Courage enables leaders to steer their teams through uncertain and challenging times.

Making Hard Choices: Courage manifests in making difficult choices, such as providing tough feedback or launching imperfect projects. "Courage might look like giving someone tough feedback or releasing a product that's not entirely ready, but these actions move the business forward" (26:15). These decisions, though uncomfortable, are essential for progress and improvement.

Embracing Discomfort and Fear

Redefining Fear: Leila encourages listeners to redefine their relationship with fear, seeing it as a catalyst for courage rather than an obstacle. "Courage only exists when fear is present. It's okay to be scared as long as you act despite it" (19:40). This mindset shift is crucial for overcoming paralysis by fear and taking meaningful action.

Courage in Everyday Actions: Courage isn't limited to grand gestures; it permeates daily actions. "Courage is found in the small things like not sweeping bugs under the rug. These daily acts build your character and self-respect" (22:50). Addressing minor fears and challenges consistently reinforces a strong foundation of courage.

Conclusion

Leila Hormozi wraps up the episode by reiterating the central thesis: courage precedes confidence. She urges listeners to stop waiting for the perfect moment of confidence to take action, emphasizing that courage is the necessary first step to achieving one's dreams and building an unshakeable business. "If you are looking to feel more confident before you make a move, stop. Courage doesn't wait for clarity or support. It moves without them" (30:00).

Leila's message is clear: cultivate courage through consistent, small acts of bravery, and confidence will naturally follow. By embracing fear and acting despite it, individuals can unlock their true potential and build the lives and businesses they aspire to have.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Courage is a choice that you make. When I was younger, I was terrified. I avoided hard things, dodging anything that triggered my anxiety." (00:02)
2. "Confidence is what you get after you've done the hard thing. Courage is what gets you to do it in the first place." (03:15)
3. "Courage does not exist without fear. If you have no fear, you have no courage." (04:50)
4. "Discomfort is a signal that you're stretching and growing. Change doesn't occur without tension." (17:55)
5. "Courage only exists when fear is present. It's okay to be scared as long as you act despite it." (19:40)
6. "If you are looking to feel more confident before you make a move, stop. Courage doesn't wait for clarity or support. It moves without them." (30:00)

Final Thoughts: In this empowering episode, Leila Hormozi provides listeners with a profound understanding of courage and its pivotal role in personal and professional success. By sharing her own experiences and practical advice, she inspires entrepreneurs and individuals alike to embrace fear, take courageous actions, and consequently build unshakeable confidence. Whether you're leading a team, starting a business, or seeking personal growth, this episode offers invaluable insights into harnessing the power of courage to achieve your goals.