In her bestselling books that topped the New York Times list, Brené Brown guided us through the concepts of daring greatly, rising strong, and navigating the wilderness with courage. Now, drawing on fresh research conducted with leaders, change-makers, and those shaping culture, she demonstrates how to translate those principles into actionable steps, empowering us to step forward and lead.
True leadership transcends titles, status, and control over others. Leaders are individuals who hold themselves responsible for recognizing the potential in both people and ideas, and nurturing that potential. This book is for anyone ready to embrace courage over comfort, make a meaningful impact, and take on a leadership role.
Daring leadership isn’t about pretending to have all the answers; it’s about staying curious and posing the right questions. It rejects the notion of power as finite, emphasizing that power multiplies when shared, aligning authority with accountability. Difficult conversations and challenging situations are not avoided; instead, vulnerability is embraced as an essential element for producing meaningful work.
However, embodying daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty necessitates developing uniquely human courage skills. The paradox lies in the fact that, while we grapple with what humans can offer that machines cannot surpass, we often neglect investing in the emotional intelligence of leaders. What can we do better? The answer lies in cultivating empathy, fostering connections, and embracing courage from the outset.
Brené Brown, renowned for her two decades of research into the emotions that give our lives meaning, discovered a common thread among leaders in diverse organizations. Whether in small start-ups, family businesses, non-profits, civic organizations, or Fortune 50 companies, they all grapple with the same questions: How do you nurture braver, more audacious leaders? And how do you embed the value of courage in your organizational culture?
“Dare to Lead” provides answers to these questions, offering actionable strategies and real-life examples derived from Brené’s research-based, courage-building program. She asserts, “One of the pivotal discoveries in my career is that courage is a teachable, developable, and measurable skill. It comprises four skill sets supported by twenty-eight behaviors. All it demands is a commitment to undertaking bold work, engaging in challenging conversations, and showing up with our whole hearts. Is it easy? No. Is it worthwhile? Always. We aspire to lead brave lives and work. That’s our purpose.”
