The Superpower Our Community Needs: Collaborative Courage
Recently, I had the privilege of being interviewed by a group of NDSU College of Business students who asked me an intriguing question: “If you could give our community one superpower, what would it be?”
I answered: Collaborative Courage.
What is Collaborative Courage, you ask?
Collaborative Courage is the intentional practice of engaging openly, honestly, and constructively with others to achieve shared goals, even when doing so may involve discomfort, risk, or uncertainty. It combines vulnerability, empathy, and curiosity to foster trust, encourage diverse perspectives, and drive collective action.
At its core, Collaborative Courage prioritizes progress over ego, accountability over avoidance, and unity over division, empowering individuals and teams to take bold steps together toward meaningful impact.
Collaborative Courage is the ability to step beyond comfort zones, embrace vulnerability, and work together, even when it’s hard. It’s not just about being brave; it’s about being bold enough to listen deeply, share openly, and unite around solutions that no single person or organization can achieve alone.
We see Collaborative Courage in our community when:
- Organizations share resources and ideas, even when it means changing the way things have always been done.
- Neighbors come together to tackle challenges around homelessness or food insecurity.
- Individuals speak up and lean in, knowing that progress requires diverse voices at the table.
It’s the courage to say, “We can do more together than apart.”
Our community faces complex issues – housing, education, workforce development – issues demanding more than isolated efforts. Collaborative Courage creates the conditions for innovation and impact.
At United Way of Cass-Clay, we’ve seen firsthand that when courage meets collaboration, transformation happens.
Through initiatives like United To End Homelessness, Innovate28, and our collaborative work to increase access to quality child care, we’ve witnessed leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals come together with bold ideas and shared responsibility. That’s Collaborative Courage in action, and it’s how we build a stronger, more connected Cass-Clay community.
Imagine what’s possible if each of us takes one courageous step toward collaboration:
- Start a conversation with someone outside your usual circle.
- Volunteer for a cause that stretches your perspective.
- Support partnerships that prioritize community over competition.
Together, we make Collaborative Courage our community’s defining strength.
-Sandi
Sandi Piatz, United Way of Cass-Clay President & CEO
Feeling inspired? Want to know more? Reach out! spiatz@unitedwaycassclay.org
Listen to the full podcast episode here or check out a video clip here.