Curiosity #76 - The Courage to be You

🎤 Quotable quotes: “Courage is being brave enough to respond to a situation as the authentic version of yourself—even when you know that response is going to be difficult.”

— Nick Coniglio

On a recent podcast, the host threw a curveball our way: “What does courage actually mean to you?”

Nick didn’t even have to check the tape. He said:

“Courage is being brave enough to respond to a situation as the authentic version of yourself—even when you know that response is going to be difficult.”

It’s not the polished version. It’s not the "I’ll say what they want to hear" version. It’s the version of you that doesn't need a filter to find the truth.

And if you’ve spent any time at Nelson Road, you know exactly who lives in that headspace.

🏟 Why This Matters for You

The Motor Oil of Authenticity

Roy Kent is not everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, if Roy were tea, he’d probably be motor oil—hot, dark, and capable of melting the spoon.

But Roy embodies a form of courage that most leadership books skip over because it’s messy. He shows up as himself. Always.

Roy doesn’t sand down his edges to fit into a boardroom. He doesn’t soften his convictions just because the silence in the room is getting awkward. Instead, he does the one thing that scares most leaders to death:

He tells the truth.

Authenticity is Integrity, Not Volume

When people talk about "being authentic," they often think it means being loud. But Roy reminds us that authenticity isn't about decibels; it’s about alignment.

• He tells Rebecca what she deserves (and she deserves someone who makes her feel like she was struck by lightning!).

• He tells Jamie what he needs to hear (even when Jamie’s hair is particularly annoying).

• He tells the team when they’re underperforming—not to hurt them, but because he respects them too much to lie.

That is the courage of alignment. It’s the version of you whose actions match your values, even when it costs you comfort or "easy" approval. When you lead like Roy, people might not always like what you say in the moment, but they trust you forever.

He makes the truth feel safe. And when the truth is safe, the team gets stronger.

Blue in Action: Channeling our Inner Roy

We’ve been having some fun inside Blue, the app we’re building to help you navigate the "Business of You."

One of our favorite ways to test the engine is to run scenarios through different leadership lenses. Naturally, we had to see what happened when we cranked the "Authenticity Dial" up to Full Roy Kent.

We fed Blue a tough situation and asked it to process the response. The result? A "Blue Bulletin" that reads like a manifesto for courageous honesty.

Check out how Blue captured that "Rare Trait" of honesty:

What we love about this output is that it recognizes that telling someone "they deserve better" isn't just being blunt—it’s an act of compassion. It’s choosing the honest path because the easy path (silence) is actually a disservice to the people you care about.

The Final Whistle

Authenticity isn't a destination; it’s a practice. It’s a muscle that gets stronger every time you choose to say the "true thing" instead of the "safe thing." Like Roy on the pitch, it might leave you with a few scrapes, but you’ll never wonder if you gave it your all.

Go out there and be the version of you that makes you proud. Even if it’s a little loud. Even if it’s a little messy.

— Nick & Marnie
Your tea-drinking, truth-telling, Roy Kent-channeling leadership partners

More leadership musings

🍪 Biscuits with the Boss: 

Icebreaker time:

Before you head out into the wild this week, we’ve got one question for you to chew on:

When was the last time you chose the authentic response instead of the easy one?

If it felt a little scary, good. That means you’re doing it right.

Roy would be proud. And if he wasn't... well, he’d definitely let you know.

📚Beard’s collection:

Brown, Brene. Dare to Lead. (2019)

If Ted Lasso and Roy Kent had a book club, Dare to Lead would be the only thing on the syllabus because it proves that vulnerability isn't a weakness—it's the "secret sauce" of true courage. Brené Brown trades the locker room for the research lab to show us that leading with heart is the only way to build a team that actually believes in each other.

🌎 This week in Here - There - Every F’ing where 

@blue.the.business on Tiktok Blue The Business of You

This surprises us more than it might surprise you - but this week we can be found on TikTok! (Would love the moral support if you are ever on The TikTok ;) )

Believe! 

Nick & Marnie