Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

saved me grief and kept me from causing others grief. Dare to Lead is for everyone, not just professional leaders, because everything in this book applies to families and other groups. As Brené states, “I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.” In fact, Dare to Lead would be a wonderful resource or curriculum for a required high school class. There is SO much incredible insight, wisdom, and advice that my brain is tired, and it’s been havoc on my tear ducts multiple times. We all belong to groups, whether it’s at work, in social and community groups or clubs, etc., as members or leaders. And while this book is primarily aimed at leaders in the workplace, any group member would benefit from this knowledge and advice. Over the years, my groups have included my family of origin, my family from marriage, educational groups, event groups, competitive groups, etc. I have always been a good worker, boss, teacher, and leader of different groups. But “good” leaves a lot of leeway for the fact that a few times I have really screwed up in the very ways that Brené discusses. I look back and there were times that my perfectionism, my black-and-white rule-following, and my tendency to sometimes rush to judgement really hurt people. Not to mention, my shame affected my leadership. As I read Dare to Lead, I kept flashing to situations in my past and a couple of people I would really like to go back apologize to, one lady in particular. (Well, really, I want to travel back in time and not screw up to begin with, but sadly that’s just a fantasy.) A bit of background: I was raised in a very abusive family, physically and emotionally. My family of origin’s modus operandi was to judge, criticize, and belittle each member constantly. Mistakes and weaknesses were never forgiven, but held up, mocked, and laughed about over and over, on top of physical and emotional abuse. Armed with self-help books (yes, my family mocks my reliance on self-help books) and therapy, I determined to leave all that behind and become a “normal” person very different from my parents. But sometimes that background messes with my current life. (As Brené says: “What’s perhaps most insidious in power over dynamics is that those who are powerless typically repeat the same behavior when the tables are turned and they are promoted into power.” I would add, sometimes against our best intentions.) There was a time that my insecurity in running a large group led me to take a friend’s reported actions as betrayal. The resulting emotional backlash caused me to handle the situation so badly that I ended up being judgmental and majorly unkind to my friend to such a degree that the title “friend” no longer applies. I should have known better; I should have acted better. It wasn’t just that I hurt my reputation, interfered with how well the group was functioning, looked unprofessional to a hosting facility… The absolutely worst part was that I hurt another person - an innocent person. I broke every tenet I had set for my life because I didn’t take the time to step back and to be a good leader; I just reacted. I went right into shame and blame because I had such an inner fear of being disrespected and betrayed. As a consequence, I disrespected and betrayed my friend by treating her unkindly. In addition, I almost shut down a service that was helping over 1,000 families over the incident. I let fear rule my actions (“I don’t do vulnerability”) and cut my helpers loose (“I can go it alone”). I curtailed offerings and cancelled events. I had listened to and internalized comments from critics as they touched upon the worthlessness instilled by my parents and siblings. (Many people are eager to criticize, and it takes wisdom and practice to let go of unhelpful criticism and use the helpful input for growth.) My actions influenced some members to take sides in a group that shouldn’t have had “sides.” (“Increased polarization, rampant dehumanization of people who are different from us, and our growing inability to ditch the echo chambers for real critical thinking.”) After working alone for another year or so, I handed off the group to a team of ladies that I knew would do a better job than I was doing. I believe if I had read Dare to Lead first, I would have had the tools in place to respond appropriately in a way that would have fostered group cohesion, eliminated problems, and just generally been a better leader for my group. In addition, I ponder Brené’s adage that the “courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome.” I’ve considered going back and apologizing to my ex-friend many times, but I’ve always been afraid that it would simply set off more negativity. But it was my lack of judgement and responding with emotions from my past that caused the rift, and I’d like her to know that I take full responsibility for that. Is it too late to go back and tell this person how badly I feel about being a leader who truly mishandled the situation? Would it make a difference to her? I plan to reread this life-changing book with my husband and daughter, both IT professionals, so they can learn from it while I benefit from the review. Dare to Lead contains wisdom to guide leaders who want to nurture safe and effective work groups. It can also benefit leaders and members of any other groups or teams, whether for a sport, church, political group, competitive team, etc. Dare to Lead would also be a great resource for members to use to kindly hold leaders accountable. There is no downside to taking this entire book in as heart knowledge and incorporating it into our lives. And the upside is that we will not only improve the quality of our own lives, but the lives of those we interact with. Highly recommended for the universe at large. This is the first book I’ve read by Brené Brown; I’ll definitely be reading more! Edited for clarity.

Dare to Lead blends emotional insight with actionable guidance on courage, vulnerability, and tough conversations. It’s helped me rethink how I lead, communicate, and build trust in teams — making difficult talks feel more purposeful and productive. Great for anyone stepping into leadership or wanting to grow more confident and authentic at work.

When i first started reading this book, I thought I knew how to Lead. This book not only covers leading others, but more importantly it brings into questions of yourself, the why we do things and how to take the armor off and become vulnerable.

"Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." by Brené Brown is a captivating and transformative book that explores the essential qualities and practices of effective leadership. Drawing from her extensive research and personal experiences, Brown challenges traditional notions of leadership and offers a fresh perspective on how to cultivate courage, empathy, and vulnerability in the workplace. In this review, we will explore the key themes and insights of this empowering book. At the core of "Dare to Lead" is the notion that true leadership requires us to show up as our authentic selves, embracing vulnerability and cultivating a culture of trust and belonging. Brown takes readers on a thought-provoking journey, unraveling the myths surrounding leadership and offering practical strategies to overcome common barriers and fears that hinder courageous leadership. Through inspiring stories, compelling research, and actionable advice, she provides a roadmap for leaders to navigate the complexities of today's work environment with confidence and compassion. One of the book's central messages is the power of vulnerability in leadership. Brown challenges the prevailing belief that vulnerability is a weakness and instead asserts that it is the foundation of true connection and growth. By sharing personal anecdotes and research findings, she demonstrates how vulnerability can foster innovation, trust, and meaningful relationships within teams and organizations. Through her relatable storytelling, readers are encouraged to embrace their own vulnerability and lead with authenticity. In "Dare to Lead," Brown emphasizes the importance of having tough conversations as a core competency of leadership. She provides practical tools and strategies for navigating difficult dialogues, addressing conflicts, and fostering a culture of open communication. By guiding readers through the process of building trust, setting boundaries, and practicing empathy, she empowers leaders to create environments where tough conversations can lead to growth and positive change. The concept of wholeheartedness serves as a guiding principle throughout the book. Brown encourages leaders to cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and self-compassion as they navigate the challenges of leadership. She explores the importance of embracing our imperfections, practicing gratitude, and prioritizing self-care to sustain wholehearted leadership. By integrating these practices into their lives, leaders can create a positive impact not only in their organizations but also in their personal well-being. "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." is a must-read for anyone seeking to cultivate authentic and impactful leadership. Brené Brown's insights and guidance inspire readers to embrace vulnerability, courage, and empathy as essential qualities of effective leadership. With its blend of research, personal stories, and practical strategies, this book equips leaders with the tools they need to create inclusive cultures, foster meaningful connections, and navigate the complexities of today's work environment with confidence and compassion. "Dare to Lead" is a transformative guide that empowers individuals to lead with their whole hearts and make a difference in their organizations and communities.

It’s realistic so it’s really help , I recommend and I will definitely read it again. Thank you Brene .

It is a very practical leadership book. Easy to understand

Dare to trust, and be vulnerable a great inspiring invitation by Brenee. An easy read, lots of insights you can give your brain to chew 😉

This book helps to learn about yourself and how you can rumble through the 'stories' at work. Thank you, Brene for this beautiful book!

It could be written in half of the pages.