“Dare to Lead” Book Review

“You can’t get to courage without rumbling with vulnerability.” -Brene Brown

In Dare to Lead, Brene Brown takes her research on shame, vulnerability, and courage and applies it to leadership within the working world. She writes about how to apply her research in order to create healthy, thriving work environments that not only support the mental health of employees, but also improve business performance. The book goes over rumbling with stories, her BRAVING inventory, providing feedback that is effective and kind, and incorporating values into the workplace.

Anyone who knows me knows that I totally fangirl over Brene Brown. She’s an icon who is changing the way we think and talk about shame and vulnerability. Although I love all of her books, I really enjoy how practical this book in particular is. She provides strategies for putting some of her biggest ideas and conversations into daily practice, in settings that can go well beyond the workplace.

I see shame and fear of vulnerability show up everyday in my line of work. Shame is the emotion that lurks in the corner, always waiting, but seldom brought out into the light. Many people, myself including, attempt to steer away from even admitting that what we might be feeling is shame, instead shifting the focus on emotions that are easier to digest, such as embarrassment or guilt or anger. I have learned, mainly through the work of Brene Brown, that shame needs to be pulled out and examined in order to heal. Although the process is painful, and downright uncomfortable, we must all look inward to find where our shame is living and how it is driving our lives. Without this awareness, we can never be fully in control of our own life purpose, but will instead be forced to be driven to whichever road shame wants to drive us down.

My biggest takeaway from this book in particular is the BRAVING inventory, which breaks down what creates trust and how we can use it to facilitate conversations that rumble with human emotion and vulnerability. Check out this link to learn more: http://daretolead.brenebrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DTL_BRAVING_102221.pdf

Have you read this book? Let me know what you think!

Reader Recommendation: Anyone in a leadership role, whether that is at work or at home.

Rating: 5 Stars