Dare to Lead

About the Author

Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston where she holds the Huffington Foundation – Brené Brown Endowed Chair. She has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Brown is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers, including Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Her work has been transformative for many, and her TED talk on vulnerability is one of the most viewed TED talks of all time.

Main Idea

Dare to Lead focuses on the idea that courageous leadership requires vulnerability. Brown emphasizes the importance of being open to uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. She provides a guide to developing daring leadership qualities, creating safe spaces for tough conversations, and fostering a culture of trust and empathy within organizations. Brown’s work is rooted in her extensive research and offers practical advice for leaders in any capacity.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Section 1: Rumbling with Vulnerability
3. Section 2: Living into Our Values
4. Section 3: BRAVING Trust
5. Section 4: Learning to Rise
6. Conclusion

Introduction

In her introduction, Brené Brown sets the stage by quoting Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…” This quote encapsulates the essence of Dare to Lead, highlighting the importance of courage and vulnerability in leadership.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again…who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Rumbling with Vulnerability

Brown introduces the concept of "rumbling with vulnerability" as a cornerstone of daring leadership. She asserts that courage and fear are interconnected and that vulnerability is not a weakness but a sign of strength. A rumble is a conversation or meeting where participants are committed to engaging with vulnerability, curiosity, and generosity.

“For Brown, a person’s leadership potential is limited by the extent to which they are willing to be vulnerable.” - Brené Brown

In this section, Brown also introduces the idea of the "marble jar" as a metaphor for trust. Trust is built through small moments of vulnerability and reciprocity over time. She emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for tough conversations, advocating for clarity and taking breaks when necessary.

Living into Our Values

Brown stresses the importance of understanding and living by our values. She believes that clarity around values helps individuals navigate difficult conversations and decisions. Values should be consistent across all areas of life, not situational.

“In those moments when we start putting other voices in front of our own, we forget what made us go into the arena in the first place.” - Brené Brown