Leadership
by Brené Brown
Can courage be learned?
Brené Brown asked senior leaders what, if anything, needed to change about how people lead. The same answer kept coming back. We need braver leaders and more courageous cultures. Dare to Lead argues that courage is a set of skills, and that anyone can learn them.
Hear a sample · read by Laura
Brown defines vulnerability as uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. Every brave act at work involves it, from giving hard feedback to pitching an idea that might flop. Leaders who armour up against that feeling end up avoiding the difficult conversations. Brown calls those conversations rumbles, and wants more of them.
Hinting, dodging and half-truths feel gentle, but they leave people guessing. Brown points out that it's unkind to hold someone to expectations you never spelled out, then blame them for missing them.
Brown breaks trust down with the word BRAVING: Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Nonjudgement and Generosity. The Vault means keeping confidences, including other people's secrets you're tempted to pass on. Trust grows in small moments, which Brown compares to marbles collecting in a jar.
Brown borrows Theodore Roosevelt's image of the man in the arena, the one actually trying, face covered in dust and sweat. Critics in the cheap seats risk nothing. Brown keeps a one-inch square of paper listing the few people whose opinions really count to her.
Who leads
Anyone who helps other people grow counts as a leader, whatever their title.
Vulnerability
You can't be brave at work without risking failure or looking foolish in front of people.
Clear is kind
Being vague to spare someone's feelings is unkind. Say plainly what you need.
Armour
When we feel exposed we reach for armour, like perfectionism or cynicism, and it keeps people out.
Two values
Pick your two core values, then turn them into things you actually do each day.
Hot take · true or myth?
You have to trust someone before you can be vulnerable with them.
Myth. Brown says the two grow together. You risk a little, the other person handles it well, and trust builds a bit at a time. Waiting for complete trust first means waiting forever.
One thing to try
Write down every value that matters to you, then cut the list to two. For each one, note one thing you do that shows it and one that goes against it. Brown asks for two because a long list can't guide a hard decision.
Knotd has the key ideas from 250+ non-fiction books, each in a few minutes, in plain words. Dare to Lead comes with a Hot Take round and a Your Move story to make it stick.
Get the whole book on KnotdOpen in the appCan courage be learned? Brené Brown asked senior leaders what, if anything, needed to change about how people lead. The same answer kept coming back. We need braver leaders and more courageous cultures. Dare to Lead argues that courage is a set of skills, and that anyone can learn them.
No courage without risk; Clear is kind; Trust has seven parts; The arena and the cheap seats.
Write down every value that matters to you, then cut the list to two. For each one, note one thing you do that shows it and one that goes against it. Brown asks for two because a long list can't guide a hard decision.
Yes. Knotd has the key ideas from Dare to Lead in a few minutes, in plain words, plus a Hot Take round and a Your Move story to test them. It's one of 250+ non-fiction books in the app.
