I've spent a lot of my career in rooms where things were going sideways. Clinical operations will do that to you. Staffing falls apart at 6 a.m., a survey shows up unannounced, a new system goes live before anyone is ready. Somewhere along the way I learned something that changed how I lead: the people who handle those moments well aren't the ones with some special gift. They're the ones who actually use what they already have.
That's what BRASS is about.
What BRASS Stands For
BRASS is the five assets every leader already carries:
- Brain: how you think, decide, and solve problems under pressure.
- Relationships: the people who trust you, teach you, and pick up the phone when you call.
- Achievements: the things you've already pulled off, including the ones you've stopped counting.
- Skills: the abilities you've built through repetition, training, and a few hard lessons.
- Story: where you've been, what it shaped in you, and how you tell it.
None of this is new to you. That's the point. You don't have to go out and get BRASS. You have to notice it, name it, and put it to work.
The Problem Isn't Missing Assets. It's Unused Ones.
Most of the leaders I work with aren't short on ability. They're short on access to their own ability. When the pressure is on, they reach for one or two assets out of habit and leave the rest sitting on the shelf.
Some leaders lean hard on Brain. They try to out-think every problem alone at their desk when one conversation with the right person would solve it in ten minutes. Others lean on Relationships and keep everyone happy, but never point to their own Achievements when it's time to ask for the promotion, the budget, or the seat at the table. A lot of us treat Story like something to hide instead of something that gives people a reason to follow us.
Here's a picture you might recognize. Think of a seasoned manager who's been asked to lead a big change in her department. She's capable and respected, and she's privately convinced she's in over her head. When she sits down and actually maps her BRASS, things look different. She's led a team through a difficult transition before (Achievement). She has peers in other departments who've done exactly this kind of change (Relationships). She knows how to break a messy problem into steps her team can follow (Skills). And the reason she got into this work in the first place is the reason her team will listen to her now (Story). Nothing about her changed. What changed is that she could see what she was carrying.
That's what I want for you.
Fearless Is Part of Your Anatomy
I say it on stage and I'll say it here: fearless isn't a feeling. It's part of your anatomy. You won't wake up one morning feeling brave enough for your next chapter. You'll get there by standing on what's already true about you.
And let's be honest. Expect the shit show. Lead through it anyway. Leadership has never been about waiting for calm. It's about knowing what you've got when the calm is gone.
How to Start Using Your BRASS This Week
You don't need a retreat to begin. Try this:
- Write down one asset per letter. One real example for each of Brain, Relationships, Achievements, Skills, and Story. Be specific.
- Circle the one you use least. That's usually where your untapped leverage is hiding.
- Use it on purpose once this week. Call the person. Mention the win. Tell the story. Make the decision you've been overthinking.
- Notice what shifts. In you, and in the people around you.
It's simple on paper. It's harder when you're tired and the day is on fire. That's exactly why it's worth practicing before you need it.
Your Next Chapter Starts With a Map
If you're standing at the edge of something new, whether that's a new role, a bigger stage, or a decision you've been circling for a while, start by seeing clearly what you're bringing with you.
That's why I created the Next Chapter Assessment. It gives you your BRASS map: what's working, what's stuck, and what courage looks like next. From there, programs like The Brass Blueprint help you turn that map into a plan you actually execute.
Start here: https://www.steadysolutiongroup.com/brass-anatomy
You already have what you need. Let's put it to work.
- Barbara Swartos, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM