Honestly, bard has **SO MANY** paths/options once you get out of core that's it can be a bit overwhelming.
Mythic exemplar with Reikhardt is pretty awesome, just read it over.
Want to debuff? (and are evil?) Doomspeak.
Want to be a fighter who inspires people around him to fight better? War chanter with battlecaster and mithral full plate
Want to outcast a stock wizard? Lyrical Thaum, Sublime Chord. Sonic might, Lyrical spell, Metamagic song.
Optimizing Inspire courage is great and all (I personally think the dragonfire inspiration is a bit much), but it's only one of dozens of things a Bard can do.