Brave Leadership in Difficult Times
Leadership Lessons from a Norwegian Saint
If you’ve ever walked around Oslo city, you might’ve come across a symbol. It’s beneath your feet, above your gaze, rushing past on every bus and tram. Once you see it and understand its meaning, you can’t help but be reminded of what the city stands for.
This is Oslo’s Coat of Arms, and depicts Oslo’s patron saint, Saint Hallvard, holding three arrows in his left hand and a millstone in his right. In some versions of the logo a woman is lying in front of him.
Image: Photo of an access cover bearing Oslo’s coat of arms.
It’s the story of a man defending a woman accused of stealing, and as a result, they were both shot down with arrows. Hallvard's body was thrown into the fjord with a millstone to weigh him down to hide the evidence.
Legend has it that his body miraculously floated, revealing the heinous act, his brave death giving him Sainthood.
Hallvard’s story is one that marks courage over comfort, conviction over compromise. And whilst circumstances may differ, the call is unchanged; leadership today demands the courage act.
Brave leadership can look like:
Speaking up in the face of injustice
Creating spaces for courageous conversations to tackle big issues
Choosing to embrace new ideas over the status quo
Backing your people when it’s risky
Placing care at the centre so everyone feels safe and seen
Image: A mural depicting St Hallvard with the woman in Oslo City Hall by Alf Rolfsen
When leaders act with courage, something shifts. Teams get clarity. Energy rises. Workplaces become places people want to be. And real, meaningful progress happens.
Saint Hallvard reminds us that leadership is never just about protecting oneself. It’s about getting up under others and empowering them. And when you take care of your people, the business takes care of itself.
So ask yourself: Where do you need to be braver as a leader?
Because every act of courage from a leader ripples out into your organisation, your people, and the society we all share.
The legend of St Hallvard’s is a stark reminder etched into the city’s identity. Even though Oslo is built on the legacy of courage, conviction, and standing up for others, sometimes we lose our way, and this is our reminder that we must do better.
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Meryn is a strategist, facilitator and executive coach who helps senior leaders think bigger, act braver, and create inclusive, adaptable, high-performing workplaces. She guides leaders and teams through high-stakes challenges in strategy, innovation, and culture, turning ambition into impact. Based in Oslo with Australian-Italian roots, she helps organisations move both people and society forward.
