Courage and Moral LeadershipAccording to Daft (2011), courage is the ability to do the right thing despite fear and/or retaliation. While moral leadership is the ability to demonstrate morality and fairness, provide ethical and transparent advice, and accept responsibility for leadership actions. This article focuses on the courageous and moral leadership of Governor Beverly Perdue of North Carolina. Courage: stay alone. Governor Perdue serves the citizens of North Carolina. She showed courage in the face of threats, retaliation and unpopular media attention. This woman stands up for what is right without fear. Currently, North Carolina has had to make difficult budget choices due to the economic downturn. One of the decisions was to cut state agency budgets by seven to fifteen percent. In addition, state employees had to take three days off and did not benefit from a cost of living increase. Although many members of the General Assembly opposed his actions, these necessary measures helped ensure a balanced state budget. Additionally, his decision to reinvest this money into the budget intended to fund social service programs angered many Assembly members who intended to use these funds for their pet projects. His decision to veto the budget made Governor Perdue unpopular and a target for many people seeking re-election. Additionally, Governor Perdue further infuriated Assembly members by refusing to cut additional education funding and eliminate educational programs for at-risk children. Even though her decisions were in the best interest of North Carolina residents, she had to stand alone and use her veto. . "In its veto message, the bill will cause incalculable damage to public schools, higher education, the dam...... middle of paper ......bm.state.nc.us/ ncosbm/osbm_library/superpubs/budget1113.shtmRobertson, GD (June 16, 2011). North Carolina Lawmakers Override Historic Perdue Budget Veto Retrieved from Bloomberg Businessweek website: http://www.businessweek.com/. ap/financialnews/D9NT0K4G0.htmRobertson, GD (January 28, 2012). , JJ and Cameron, JC (2010). Authentic transformational leadership character and behavior: Expansion of the ascetic self towards others. Nuijten, I. (2011)., 26(3), 249-267.10869-010-9194-1