Daring Greatly

Brené Brown is a remarkable researcher and storyteller, with a PHD in social work. Based on twelve years of diligent research, this book forges a path through vulnerability and shame to pave a roadmap to wholehearted living. It was enlightening and easy to read, a great book for anyone interested in self-development and more authentic connections to others. The book is a development of the key themes that arose in Brown’s previous work The Gifts of Imperfection (2010). She is refreshingly honest about her own reluctance to see vulnerability as the key to unlocking courageous parenting, leading and living; and the book is peppered with personal anecdotes.

Like many before me, I was drawn to Brené’s work having seen her TED talk on shame. As a professional academic, she bases all of her work on a rigorous evidence-based process, which included interviewing 1,280 participants. It’s hard to argue with data like that - especially when you find yourself nodding and agreeing with each revealing section. In bite -sized pieces and easy language, she reveals our shared, socialised shame and resulting self-limiting beliefs.

“Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.”

Basing her central thoughts around Theodore Roosevelt’s inspirational speech “Citizenship in a Republic”, Brené grounds the notion of Daring Greatly as firmly rooted in the arena of getting your ass kicked, but trying again anyway. She breaks down the common myths around vulnerability and weakness (for both men and women), and provides tools for understanding internalised shame. The chapter on our ‘Vulnerability Armory’ walks the reader through the coping mechanisms we have likely developed through childhood and adolescence as both inherited and learnt survival techniques; and provides useful tips on learning how to put down the weapons and let ourselves be seen - in order to live more wholeheartedly. Chapters five through seven focus on utilising this learning to create cultural change in the workplace and the home, including some really useful print-outs!

“If we want to reignite innovation and passion, we have to rehumanize work. When shame becomes a management style, engagement dies. When failure is not an option we can forget about learning, creativity and innovation.”

This book is a must read for every manager who wants to inspire loyal and productive teams, every parent who wants their kids to grow up to be authentic, unapologetically joyful adults, and every human who wants to better understand themselves. Come prepared with post-its and pencils!