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The Requisite Courage
A field-tested, science-based approach to fear management—whether in business or life.
The Requisite Courage is a fascinating and essential handbook of career principles devised and perfected from Kris McGuigan’s impressive track record as an executive coach, award-winning speaker and corporate trainer for the nation’s most prominent Fortune 500 companies. From her early days in healthcare administration to becoming an MBA, Board Certified Coach, McGuigan has not only tested and proven these techniques but has also lived them out in her own life.
A vulnerable recounting of real-life stories from the harrowing breakthrough of independence to a teen romance gone horribly wrong, The Requisite Courage reveals the fear-abolishing strategies that helped McGuigan unlock her true potential and make powerful changes in her own life and the lives of her clients.
Those who have benefited include business clients generating tens of thousands of engaged and productive employees, entrepreneurs departing day jobs to start their own businesses and professionals stepping up for a promotion, pay increase, or new position.
Life is full of disruption: whether suffering a loss, altering your environment, or gaining a new leader. The Requisite Courage offers the precise know-how to navigate change, take control of your destiny and create long-lasting results.
If you want to align your corporate strengths to personal values or just need to stop clinging to the status quo, The Requisite Courage is the direct and fearless approach to problem solving you’ve been missing.
The Requisite Courage is a fascinating and essential handbook of career principles devised and perfected from Kris McGuigan’s impressive track record as an executive coach, award-winning speaker and corporate trainer for the nation’s most prominent Fortune 500 companies. From her early days in healthcare administration to becoming an MBA, Board Certified Coach, McGuigan has not only tested and proven these techniques but has also lived them out in her own life.
A vulnerable recounting of real-life stories from the harrowing breakthrough of independence to a teen romance gone horribly wrong, The Requisite Courage reveals the fear-abolishing strategies that helped McGuigan unlock her true potential and make powerful changes in her own life and the lives of her clients.
Those who have benefited include business clients generating tens of thousands of engaged and productive employees, entrepreneurs departing day jobs to start their own businesses and professionals stepping up for a promotion, pay increase, or new position.
Life is full of disruption: whether suffering a loss, altering your environment, or gaining a new leader. The Requisite Courage offers the precise know-how to navigate change, take control of your destiny and create long-lasting results.
If you want to align your corporate strengths to personal values or just need to stop clinging to the status quo, The Requisite Courage is the direct and fearless approach to problem solving you’ve been missing.
232 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2022
5 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Kris McGuigan
1 book8 followersKris McGuigan is the founder and principal owner of Professional Courage. As a board-certified, executive coach, keynote speaker, and corporate trainer for the nation’s most prominent Fortune 500 companies, Kris has helped countless leaders step up and stand out in the marketplace.
With a brand formed by courage and constancy, Kris uses her own story to guide clients and audiences to success in an ever-changing job market.
Her first book, The Requisite Courage: How to Make Brave Decisions in Business & Life, is a science-based approach to fear management that helps you overcome self-doubt, take more risks and get results.
With a brand formed by courage and constancy, Kris uses her own story to guide clients and audiences to success in an ever-changing job market.
Her first book, The Requisite Courage: How to Make Brave Decisions in Business & Life, is a science-based approach to fear management that helps you overcome self-doubt, take more risks and get results.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 24, 2022
This book is about pushing through fears and living courageously. And, it's really applicable to everyone from young adults to professionals. There is definitely something for everyone.
What do I like?
1. It’s an active book. Don’t expect to lay on the beach reading this. There are activities, quizzes, and questions to answer. I especially enjoyed the Fear Factor quiz on p.32. I tried to blow by it, but she calls you out on P.35 and says you must do it before moving on.
2. The book is filled with research, client stories, and my favorite, author spotlights. Kris is incredibly polished and at the same time very real. These stories are raw and take you along Kris’s journey to where she is now.
3. You’ll learn something about yourself by reading this book. And that is one of the reasons I’m going to read it again. What else can I learn?
It's well worth the read.
What do I like?
1. It’s an active book. Don’t expect to lay on the beach reading this. There are activities, quizzes, and questions to answer. I especially enjoyed the Fear Factor quiz on p.32. I tried to blow by it, but she calls you out on P.35 and says you must do it before moving on.
2. The book is filled with research, client stories, and my favorite, author spotlights. Kris is incredibly polished and at the same time very real. These stories are raw and take you along Kris’s journey to where she is now.
3. You’ll learn something about yourself by reading this book. And that is one of the reasons I’m going to read it again. What else can I learn?
It's well worth the read.
October 18, 2022
For anyone who is facing change - whether it is personal or professional, chosen or thrust upon you - this book serves as a compass to successfully navigate that change and the fears that are carried with it. Author Kris McGuigan champions the reader through a master workshop of change management, demanding self-reflection and authenticity on the path to one’s desired goals. McGuigan walks the talk and brings her authentic self to the text, sharing deeply personal and impactful stories that illustrate how and why her methods are effective. Not only will I employ her tactics myself, as a mentor I will recommend this book to the graduating residents and new professionals with whom I work. An excellent read!
July 5, 2022
Whether your goals are personal or professional, Kris has you covered! This book is like having a hype person right in your pocket! With practical and real life examples of her techniques and paths to growth, this book is sure to inspire and motivate anyone from a college grad to CEO, a new mom, or even someone simply looking for a life change. Her stories and explanations stay with me long after I put the book down. Thank you Kris for helping me LIVE COURAGEOUSLY
August 22, 2022
Knowing Kris a bit, I was eager to dive into it. She's one of the most genuine coaches I've met. She gives herself generously and fully with a genuine warmth. The book spoke to me for many reasons but, primarily, because I grew up without many "atta girls" or encouragement from my parents. As a result, I had to learn well into my adult years that I alone was able to harness my ability and develop my own strength and courage. I am only now scratching the surface—to finally believe that I have plenty of strength and fortitude to accomplish my goals and to overcome struggles and shortcomings. I found the advice within the book to be accessible, real and honest. I learn from the experiences of others and there are plenty of very real examples within the book, including many from Kris herself. This book gives us all permission to learn, simply by learning, at a pace that is appropriate for our individual selves. It is a perfect read for those of us who are wary (and perhaps weary) of self-help books. Note: I did receive this book in advance and I am very glad I did.
October 3, 2022
The Requisite Courage is appealing because it is based in research and practice and contains pragmatic exercises for managing personal and professional change. Anyone anticipating or instigating changes can use this book as a coaching session. The author’s personal anecdotes are relatable and relevant, and anyone more persuaded by references to cognitive science and human behavior will find corresponding evidence. The bottom line is that the biggest barriers to achieving a goal may rooted in individual—and even misguided—perceptions and biases. It is possible to overcome those, broaden your perspective, and achieve the requisite courage for transformation. The book provides hands-on tasks to complete along the read to keep you focused and on track with taking steps to achieve your big goal.
October 3, 2022
The Requisite Courage is a fast and enjoyable read that provides clear, effective tools to achieve meaningful changes in life. Throughout the book, Kris McGuigan vulnerably shares excerpts of her own courageous journey which is intertwined with examples from other highly successful individuals to highlight key points. This is a must read for anyone who is looking to transform their professional or personal life through proven methods.
October 4, 2022
The Requisite Courage presents an actionable framework for addressing change (or potential change) in your life. This, however, isn’t what makes it unique. It’s Kris McGuigan’s voice and her willingness to share and be vulnerable – to use her own life experiences to illustrate the things that make us afraid and the tools we can use to show courage in the face of that fear. I highly recommend reading this book.
October 2, 2022
The Requisite Courage is the perfect combination of introspection and practical application, giving you the ability to transform your fear into courage. It was interesting and humbling to think of what’s unique to me personally and consider how that relates to my true passion. Loving that there is a companion workbook to help me execute next steps.
October 3, 2022
Kris did a tremendous job of linking her life stories to her growth as an individual and how she became a leading woman in business. The book is broken into two distinct parts and both have great value for anyone wanting to learn how to overcome challenges and to live everyday with courage.
September 21, 2022
A Must Read! Excellently Written.
Kris unveils timeless advice that is engaging and thought provoking. I usually don’t write when I am reading, but her story inspired me to do my own soul searching. I found myself underlining, highlighting, and writing notes to myself in the margin. Highly recommended. This book is a must read for the journey of life.
Kris unveils timeless advice that is engaging and thought provoking. I usually don’t write when I am reading, but her story inspired me to do my own soul searching. I found myself underlining, highlighting, and writing notes to myself in the margin. Highly recommended. This book is a must read for the journey of life.
September 21, 2022
The Requisite Courage is an interactive book that challenges you to face your fears and live the life you’ve always wanted. Kris is motivational, uplifting and thought provoking. Push beyond the barriers of your fears and discover what it’s like to live on the other side of those feelings, and see what else you can discover about yourself in the process.
August 25, 2022
I can hardly begin to tell you how impactful I found The Requisite Courage. I have experienced years of change and challenges in my life and have learned many lessons along the way. The need for courage being the most important lesson. In a complex, rapidly changing business environment, leaders struggle to find the right resource to empower and equip team members. Kris does an amazing job of coaching leaders and team members alike to embrace the change and welcome it; to actually choose it versus becoming a victim of it. I walked away after reading this book feeling even more empowered to control my destiny.
August 26, 2022
Kris McGuigan’s brilliance, care, and selfless leadership shine through as The Requisite Courage shows readers that your greatest opportunities are on the other side of your greatest fears. Kris codifies her personal experiences and those of the renowned, along with science, into an interactive roadmap, transferring conceptual understanding into daily practices that will guide you to that other side.
October 4, 2022
The Requisite Courage offered staggering clarity on who I am, what I want professionally and personally, and most importantly, how to align the two. Kris exposes fear and encourages authenticity and audacity through her writing which calls for the reader to respond confidently to the message of making brave decisions in business and life.
To those in college, graduate school, or recently graduated, I cannot stress enough how much this book illuminated my fears and exposed how they impacted me personally and professionally.
In the words of Kris, "Every action we take in life is a direct result of the presence or absence of fear."
To those in college, graduate school, or recently graduated, I cannot stress enough how much this book illuminated my fears and exposed how they impacted me personally and professionally.
In the words of Kris, "Every action we take in life is a direct result of the presence or absence of fear."
October 2, 2022
I have been lucky enough to have Kris's advice her entire life. I have long said I wanted to grow up and be just like her, my little sister.
Earlier this year, when I looked at making the jump from my safe (boring) job to the new job and many new challenges in a new city, I considered the lessons in courage from her book and made the leap. I took the book to work with me the first week to remind me to be courageous in the new situation and to be the strong professional I know how to be. I bought several copies for coworkers because of the great messages in the book. (I got them signed because my sister is the author, but the book itself stands on its own merit).
When the company closed suddenly last week and the job went away, I texted Kris first. As I began to consider what I would do next, while packing my office, I knew that re-reading the book would be top on the list.
The Requisite Courage is worth adding to your bookshelf!
Earlier this year, when I looked at making the jump from my safe (boring) job to the new job and many new challenges in a new city, I considered the lessons in courage from her book and made the leap. I took the book to work with me the first week to remind me to be courageous in the new situation and to be the strong professional I know how to be. I bought several copies for coworkers because of the great messages in the book. (I got them signed because my sister is the author, but the book itself stands on its own merit).
When the company closed suddenly last week and the job went away, I texted Kris first. As I began to consider what I would do next, while packing my office, I knew that re-reading the book would be top on the list.
The Requisite Courage is worth adding to your bookshelf!
September 9, 2022
First of all, let me say that I almost never get through a business book anymore these days. They are dry, or have no voice, or are all about the process but have none of the heart. This book is so different. Kris has a tone that makes you want to sit down and have drinks with her! She's your best friend and also your cheerleader. The stories in the book are fun, enlightening, and relatable. I keep going back to the chapter entitled Fortune Favors Failure. It's really true; I just never really thought about it. Fail and fail hard. Failure is, in fact, really good for you. (Kris says it so much better than that.) I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to live life more full out!!!
August 25, 2022
The Requisite Courage captures Kris McGuigan’s heart and her smarts in a fast-paced, practical, and beautifully written handbook for career-minded professionals seeking to build resilience in the face of doubt. Her personal stories and practical solutions offer a framework for anyone looking to capitalize on change and disruption to embrace authenticity and write the next chapter of their life story.
October 4, 2022
I rarely pick up and book and read it all the way through. A mom of active teenagers, makes one tired at the end of a day. All that said, I couldn't put this book down. The personal touch Kris gives this book hits home on a couple of levels. She gives great advice on both a personal and professional level. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book. You will not be disappointed!
August 30, 2023
I like the real life approach to overcoming fear of the unknown to take more risks that could better your career as well as your personal life. I also enjoyed meeting the author live during our book club discussions at work. I’ll refer to this book again and again for reminders to help me along my journey.
October 10, 2022
This book is powerful and practical! It’s one you will want to pass along to a colleague, friend, graduate, etc. when you’re finished. There is a way to get unstuck and step through fear—The Requisite Courage will show you how.
October 16, 2022
Kris is able to pull you in with impactful stories, fascinating studies and engaging ideas. Then she shows up as your own coach in written form with simple yet powerful activities for you to uncover your passions and discover the direction to take to approach your future with courage.
October 17, 2022
Change is hard for most, but this book will help make the
path a little easier by helping you to acknowledge and
eventually manage all the things holding you back from
being your best and most effective self.
path a little easier by helping you to acknowledge and
eventually manage all the things holding you back from
being your best and most effective self.
May 14, 2025
Loved it! I picked it for my turn at book club and we had such an insightful discussion. I recommend as a read for yourself or something you pick up to share to discuss with friends. May we all live courageously!
October 16, 2022
The Requisite Courage is real, raw and authentic! It will provide you with the necessary tools to help navigate you to find your real potential!
October 31, 2022
I found many chapters were helpful. The chapter that hit hoe the most was "Setting Your Mind."
October 19, 2022
The Requisite Courage by Kris McGuigan's book provides easy to follow strategies aligning your strengths and personal values to make changes in your life.
As a professional coach and friend, Kris advice is always on target. I followed her advice to let go of habits and behaviors that stood in my way. I have never been happier. Are you ready to make the change? If not now, when. Read The Requisite Courage and make the change you so deserve.
As a professional coach and friend, Kris advice is always on target. I followed her advice to let go of habits and behaviors that stood in my way. I have never been happier. Are you ready to make the change? If not now, when. Read The Requisite Courage and make the change you so deserve.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews