Courage is contagious; every bold move gives permission. It’s a powerful truth I’ve seen play out time and again. When one person acts bravely, it creates a ripple effect that empowers everyone around them.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that bravery isn’t an isolated act. It’s a social signal that dismantles invisible barriers for others, giving them the green light to act.
Explanation
Think about it like this. In any group, there’s this unspoken, collective fear of the unknown. The first person to speak up in a meeting, or to ask that “stupid” question, or to try a new approach… they’re not just acting for themselves. They’re essentially running a social experiment for the whole room. And when they don’t get laughed at or reprimanded—when they succeed, or even just survive—it broadcasts a crucial message to everyone else: “This is safe. You can do this too.” It’s like they pay the initial “fear tax” for the group. Suddenly, the perceived risk plummets. That’s the contagion. It’s psychological permission, granted in real-time.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | courage (145), influence (70), leadership (111) |
| Literary Style | poetic (635) |
| Emotion / Mood | energetic (79), inspiring (392), strong (17) |
| Overall Quote Score | 87 (185) |
Origin & Factcheck
This gem comes straight from Leil Lowndes’s 2002 book, Goodbye to Shy: 85 Shybusters That Work, published in the United States. You might sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this specific, powerful phrasing is Lowndes’s. She was writing from the perspective of helping people overcome social anxiety, which makes the insight even more potent.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Leil Lowndes (235) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Goodbye to Shy: 85 Shybusters That Work (50) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Leil Lowndes writes about striking conversations with unknown people and how to put others at ease and maintain relationships. Her techniques are straightforward and practically usable that readers can apply immediately in their workplace, and everyday life. Her book list includes How to Talk to Anyone and Goodbye to Shy which have reached international audiences.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Courage is contagious; every bold move gives permission to others |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2000; ISBN: 9780071412946; Last edition: McGraw-Hill, 2004; Number of pages: 304 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 48: Courage Spreads, Approximate page from 2004 edition |