Dare to Lead | Book Summary and Notes
The ability for leaders to rumble with vulnerability and embrace courageous conversations are much needed ones, now even more than ever.
The book is divided into 4 parts, each one dedicated to a skill that, according to author Brené Brown, defines courage:
Rumbling with Vulnerability
Living Into our Values
Braving Trust
Learning to Rise
A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding potential in people and processes, having the courage to develop that potential.
Part 1 — Rumbling with Vulnerability
Embracing vulnerability is a leadership skill that separates the wheat from the chaff. It is what makes the difference. However, “vulnerability for vulnerability’s sake is not effective, useful, or smart.”
There are 6 myths around the concept of vulnerability:
Vulnerability is weakness
I don't do vulnerability: if you do not do vulnerability, it will do you.
I can go it alone
You can engineer the uncertainty and discomfort out of vulnerability
Trust comes before vulnerability
Vulnerability is disclosure
Vulnerability is generally speaking scary. We often build up an armor to it, as Brown points out in the book. Our ego will, indeed, do anything it can to minimize the inner discomfort that comes with rumbling with vulnerability. What will people think? What if I learn something too hard to be aware of?
And just as frightening as vulnerability is shame. “Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love, belonging, and connection.”
Part 2 — Living Into Our Values
Values are the center of it all. Without clear, operationalized values to start from, there is no thoughtfulness. Not having clearly defined values can lead to paralysis and impulsive decision making.
Part 3 — Braving Trust
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