Chart of the Week Special | What it means to be MUTIG: German courage instead of German fear

Chart of the week special edition

 

Our new publication "German courage instead of German fear - 44 ideas for a better future" is NOW available in bookshops.

 

 

 

 

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE COURAGEOUS

 

A large majority of citizens associate courage above all with four properties:

1. Self-confidence
2. Sense of responsibility
3. Willingness to overcome resistance
4. Standing up for values

 

The first feature Self-confidence as a character trait forms the basis for further associations. This is understood to mean a sense of self-worth in which one recognises and appreciates the importance and value of one's own personality. Both strengths and weaknesses are recognised as part of one's own personality and translated into self-confident actions in an inner attitude of serenity and contentment. In the context of courage, it demonstrates a strong quality „to be yourself“, even if the social environment expects or desires something different.

If individuals are aware of themselves and their own strengths, they can also develop the ability to work for themselves and others. Taking responsibility. Responsibility means utilising the freedom to shape things, making courageous decisions and implementing them with confidence and determination. This is where the Willingness to overcome resistance and to accept obstacles and conflicts. Resistance can be both structural (regulations, hierarchies, etc.) and personal (lack of support, mistrust, envy, etc.). The fourth aspect rounds off the courageous action of character trait, ability and willingness with the socio-moral component of value conviction, steadfastness and the ability to act with courage. Standing up for your beliefs and actions.

 

FROM OPTIMISM AND CREATIVITY TO THE WILLINGNESS TO FAIL

 

From the citizens' perspective, other key characteristics are optimism, creativity, a willingness to take risks and a desire for change. Even if all of these are seen as a necessary basic attitude rather than a skill, they can be learnt or strengthened by each individual. The decisive factor here is whether the private and social environment offers sufficient freedom to learn courage and act fearlessly. Specifically, these characteristics are needed to strengthen motivation (optimism) and determination (willingness to take risks) as well as to promote the will to shape and vary perspectives (creativity). This goes hand in hand with the desire and willingness to see change as a positive development and to question old patterns of thought and behaviour. In this context, almost three quarters of the population also mention the willingness to fail, which is inherent in courageous behaviour and goes beyond the willingness to take risks - for example in the form of financial losses, failed concepts or failed plans. Failure is not seen as fundamentally negative, as setbacks and mistakes in particular can open up new perspectives. However, a particularly strong sense of courage is required in this case, as mistakes are often viewed very critically and negatively, especially in Germany.

 

You can find further research results from our publication in our  Current research - 300.

And in our Chart of the Week Special CW19 and CW20: Lack of role models and Generation gap in the choice of role models.