Chuck Paris believes that leadership benefits others and that it transcends boundaries and barriers. Leadership legacy is the enduring influence of courage and character in action. More than anytime in history, our world needs visionary leaders who possess the depth and conviction to stand alone in order to stand for more than mere title. Leadership is the demonstration of courage in pain or adversity - fortitude - and the determination to go through the fires that light a torch to both warm the spirit and reveal the path in the darkness. Leadership takes courage. Courage is innate. The degree to which we engage our courage, as an individual or as a nation, determines our influence and the extent of our leadership.

Chuck founded Courage Leads to enhance and advance current and future leaders through a mission focused approach of taking ownership and responsibility for what is entrusted to our care. Chuck served in the U.S. Army military police and in civilian law enforcement. He personally witnessed untold acts of courage demonstrated by those in positions of leadership and caring citizens. These acts far outnumber the acts of those who put self first.

Chuck witnessed people stand against fear and threats to make their communities safer, raise a child alone, care about those less fortunate, face physical limitations, overcome illness and injury, place themselves in danger to protect others, thwart injustice, pray for others, or teach a child to read or to play sports. Their courage to demonstrate servant leadership influenced and empowered others.

Chuck blended his law enforcement experience into filmmaking to become a screenwriter/producer/director and member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). He has trained hundreds of actors for roles in TV/Film and professionals for on-camera presentation to enhance their leadership capabilities. Chuck holds a BA in Filmmaking and a Master’s degree in Leadership/Terrorism & Homeland Defense.

In this time of global terrorism and great national sacrifice, we see courage-in-action from our military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They lead by example, inspire, and influence service to others. Regardless of arena, let the acronym LEAD serve as a “challenge-call” to empower leaders to identify and pursue their passions, accept responsibility for their preparation, visualize their potential, step forward, cross jurisdictional boundaries and lead.

LEAD: Leadership Excellence is Always Deliberate