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Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Hardcover – October 9, 2018

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Brené Brown has taught us what it means to dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness. Now, based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers, and culture shifters, she’s showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead.

Don’t miss the five-part Max docuseries Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart!

ONE OF BLOOMBERG’S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential.

When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it’s necessary to do good work.

But daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.

Four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question:

How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?

In Dare to Lead, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BSstyle that millions of readers have come to expect and love.

Brown writes, “One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable. It’s learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It’s why we’re here.”

Whether you’ve read Daring Greatly and Rising Strong or you’re new to Brené Brown’s work, this book is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership.

From the Publisher

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

Keeping it awkward, brave, and kind;brene brown;personal growth books;new year new you;booktok

	Atlas of the Heart	Rising Strong	Braving the Wilderness	The Gifts of Imperfection: 10th Anniversary Edition

Customer Reviews	20,691	11,191	14,450	42,704
Price	$17.74	$9.41	$9.47	$12.98
	BrenéBrown writes, “If we want to find the way back to ourselves and one another, we need language and the grounded confidence to both tell our stories and be stewards of the stories that we hear. This is the framework for meaningful connection.”	Living a brave life is not always easy: We are, inevitably, going to stumble and fall. It is the rise from falling that Brown takes as her subject in Rising Strong.	A timely and important book that challenges everything we think we know about cultivating true belonging in our communities, organizations, and culture.	In hardcover for the first time, this tenth-anniversary edition of the game-changing bookfeatures a new foreword and brand-new tools to make the work your own.

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With Dare to Lead, Brené brings decades of research to bear in a practical and insightful guide to courageous leadership. This book is a road map for anyone who wants to lead mindfully, live bravely, and dare to lead.”—Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook, founder, LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org

“Brené visited Pixar to talk with our filmmakers. Her message was important, as movies are best when they come from a place of vulnerability, when the people who make them encounter setbacks and are forced to overcome them, when they are willing to have their asses handed to them. It is easy to sit back and talk about the values of a safe and meaningful culture, but extraordinarily difficult to pull it off. You don’t achieve good culture without constant attention, without an environment of safety, courage, and vulnerability. These are hard skills, but they are teachable skills. Start with this book.”—Ed Catmull, president, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios

“Whether you’re leading a movement or a start-up, if you’re trying to change an organizational culture or the world, Dare to Lead will challenge everything you think you know about brave leadership and give you honest, straightforward, actionable tools for choosing courage over comfort.”—Tarana Burke, senior director, Girls for Gender Equity, founder, theMe Too movement

“We asked Brené to bring her work on courage and vulnerability to our Air Force base. This is a tough audience, many of them with significant combat experience. Within five minutes, you could have heard a pin drop. Brené cuts through the noise and speaks to what makes us human and makes the mission happen. Dare to Lead is about real leadership: tenacious, from the heart, and full of grit.”—Brigadier General Brook J. Leonard, United States Air Force

“Brené is Google Empathy Lab’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. She has profoundly inspired our product leaders to designin and embrace vulnerability, rather than engineer it out. It’s a critical and transformative act to bring your alive, messy, wholehearted human self to work every day. Dare to Lead is the skillful and empowering Jedi training we have all been waiting for.”—Danielle Krettek, founder, Google Empathy Lab

“Applying the principles from Dare to Lead to my work as a principal has transformed the way I show up with parents, students, and colleagues, and how I lead. Brené’s words, stories, and examples connect with our hearts and minds, and her actionable approach gives us the tools to be braver with our lives and our work.”—Kwabena Mensah, PhD, assistant superintendent, Fort Bend ISD, Principal of the Year, Katy ISD and Texas Alliance of Black School Educators

“Brené truly gives it all away in Dare to Lead. Courage is a set of teachable skills, and she teaches us exactly how to build those muscles with research, stories, examples, and new language. The future belongs to brave leaders, and she’s written the ultimate playbook for daring leadership.”—Scott Harrison, founder and CEO, charity: water

About the Author

Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at the Graduate College of Social Work. She also holds the position of visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. Brené has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and is the host of two award-winning podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. Brené’s books have been translated into more than 30 languages, and her titles include Atlas of the Heart, Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection. With Tarana Burke, she co-edited the bestselling anthology You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience. Brené’s TED talk on the Power of Vulnerability is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks in the world, with over 60 million views. Brené is the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix, and in March 2022, she launched a new show on HBO Max that focuses on her latest book, Atlas of the Heart. Brené spends most of her time working in organizations around the world, helping develop braver leaders and more courageous cultures. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve. They have two children, Ellen and Charlie, and a weird Bichon named Lucy.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Moment and the Myths

the moment the universe put the Roosevelt quote in front of me, three lessons came into sharp focus. The first one is what I call “the physics of vulnerability.” It’s pretty simple: If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall. Daring is not saying “I’m willing to risk failure.” Daring is saying “I know I will eventually fail, and I’m still all in.” I’ve never met a brave person who hasn’t known disappointment, failure, even heartbreak.

Second, the Roosevelt quote captures everything I’ve learned about vulnerability. The definition of vulnerability as the emotion that we experience during times of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure first emerged in my work two decades ago, and has been validated by every study I’ve done since, including this research on leadership. Vulnerability is not winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.

We’ve asked thousands of people to describe vulnerability to us over the years, and these are a few of the answers that directly pierce the emotion: the first date after my divorce, talking about race with my team, trying to get pregnant after my second miscarriage, starting my own business, watching my child leave for college, apologizing to a colleague about how I spoke to him in a meeting, sending my son to orchestra practice knowing how badly he wants to make first chair and knowing there’s a really good chance he will not make the orchestra at all, waiting for the doctor to call back, giving feedback, getting feedback, getting fired, firing someone.

Across all of our data there’s not a shred of empirical evidence that vulnerability is weakness.

Are vulnerable experiences easy? No.

Can they make us feel anxious and uncertain? Yes.

Do they make us want to self-protect? Always.

Does showing up for these experiences with a whole heart and no armor require courage? Absolutely.

The third thing I learned has turned into a mandate by which I live: If you are not in the arena getting your ass kicked on occasion, I’m not interested in or open to your feedback. There are a million cheap seats in the world today filled with people who will never be brave with their lives but who will spend every ounce of energy they have hurling advice and judgment at those who dare greatly. Their only contributions are criticism, cynicism, and fearmongering. If you’re criticizing from a place where you’re not also putting yourself on the line, I’m not interested in what you have to say.

We have to avoid the cheap-seats feedback and stay armor-free. The research participants who do both of those well have one hack in common: Get clear on whose opinions of you matter.

We need to seek feedback from those people. And even if it’s really hard to hear, we must bring it in and hold it until we learn from it. This is what the research taught me:

Don’t grab hurtful comments and pull them close to you by rereading them and ruminating on them. Don’t play with them by rehearsing your badass comeback. And whatever you do, don’t pull hatefulness close to your heart.

Let what’s unproductive and hurtful drop at the feet of your unarmored self. And no matter how much your self-doubt wants to scoop up the criticism and snuggle with the negativity so it can confirm its worst fears, or how eager the shame gremlins are to use the hurt to fortify your armor, take a deep breath and find the strength to leave what’s mean-spirited on the ground. You don’t even need to stomp it or kick it away. Cruelty is cheap, easy, and chickenshit. It doesn’t deserve your energy or engagement. Just step over the comments and keep daring, always remembering that armor is too heavy a price to pay to engage with cheap-seat feedback.

Again, if we shield ourselves from all feedback, we stop growing. If we engage with all feedback, regardless of the quality and intention, it hurts too much, and we will ultimately armor up by pretending it doesn’t hurt, or, worse yet, we’ll disconnect from vulnerability and emotion so fully that we stop feeling hurt. When we get to the place that the armor is so thick that we no longer feel anything, we experience a real death. We’ve paid for self-protection by sealing off our heart from everyone, and from everything—not just hurt, but love.

No one captures the consequences of choosing that level of self-protection over love better than C. S. Lewis:

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

To love is to be vulnerable.

Rumble Tool: The Square Squad

When we define ourselves by what everyone thinks, it’s hard to be brave. When we stop caring about what anyone thinks, we’re too armored for authentic connection. So how do we get clear on whose opinions of us matter?

Here’s the solution we shared in Daring Greatly: Get a one-inch by one-inch piece of paper and write down the names of the people whose opinions of you matter. It needs to be small because it forces you to edit. Fold it and put it in your wallet. Then take ten minutes to reach out to those people—your square squad—and share a little gratitude. You can keep it simple: I’m getting clear on whose opinions matter to me. Thank you for being one of those people. I’m grateful that you care enough to be honest and real with me.

If you need a rubric for choosing the people, here’s the best I have: The people on your list should be the people who love you not despite your vulnerability and imperfections, but because of them.

The people on your list should not be “yes” people. This is not the suck-up squad. They should be people who respect you enough to rumble with the vulnerability of saying “I think you were out of your integrity in that situation, and you need to clean it up and apologize. I’ll be here to support you through that.” Or “Yes, that was a huge setback, but you were brave and I’ll dust you off and cheer you on when you go back into the arena.”

The Four Six Myths of Vulnerability

In Daring Greatly, I wrote about four myths surrounding vulnerability, but since I’ve brought the courage-building work into organizations and have been doing it with leaders, the data have spoken, and there are clearly six misguided myths that persist across wide variables including gender, age, race, country, ability and culture.

Myth #1: Vulnerability is weakness.

It used to take me a long time to dispel the myths that surround vulnerability, especially the myth that vulnerability is weakness. But in 2014, standing across from several hundred military special forces soldiers on a base in the Midwest, I decided to stop evangelizing, and I nailed my argument with a single question.

I looked at these brave soldiers and said, “Vulnerability is the emotion that we experience during times of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Can you give me a single example of courage that you’ve witnessed in another soldier or experienced in your own life that did not require experiencing vulnerability?”

Complete silence. Crickets.

Finally, a young man spoke up. He said, “No, ma’am. Three tours. I can’t think of a single act of courage that doesn’t require managing massive vulnerability.”

I’ve asked that question now a couple of hundred times in meeting rooms across the globe. I’ve asked fighter pilots and software engineers, teachers and accountants, CIA agents and CEOs, clergy and professional athletes, artists and activists, and not one person has been able to give me an example of courage without vulnerability. The weakness myth simply crumbles under the weight of the data and people’s lived experiences of courage.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0399592520
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House; First Edition (October 9, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8925598914
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399592522
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 year and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.86 x 1.03 x 8.58 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12 in Popular Social Psychology & Interactions
- #22 in Leadership & Motivation
- #37 in Personal Transformation Self-Help

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Brené Brown

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Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at the Graduate College of Social Work. She also holds the position of visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business.

Brené has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She is the author of six #1 New York Times best sellers and is the host of two award-winning Spotify podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead.

Brené’s books have been translated into more than 30 languages, and her titles include Atlas of the Heart, Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection. With Tarana Burke, she co-edited the best-selling anthology You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience.

Brené’s TED talk on the Power of Vulnerability is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks in the world, with over 50 million views. Brené is the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix, and in March 2022, she launched a new show on HBO Max that focuses on her latest book, Atlas of the Heart.

Brené spends most of her time working in organizations around the world, helping develop braver leaders and more-courageous cultures. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve. They have two children, Ellen and Charlie, and a weird Bichon named Lucy.

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Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They describe it as an engaging read with useful advice and references for implementation. The writing style is described as easy to understand and straightforward. Readers appreciate the relatable stories and personal examples used to create connections. The author's message resonates deeply with them, using honesty, bravery, humor, and storytelling.

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337 customers mention "Inspirational content"329 positive8 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and insightful. They appreciate the thought-provoking challenges and humane leadership advice. The author maintains a level of constructive truth, encouraging vulnerability and empathy. Overall, the book provides great advice on leadership that is easy to understand and convincing.

"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..." Read more

"...Well, I got that completely wrong! Each chapter is a serious introspection and challenge to reassess my values, visions, victories and even failures..." Read more

"...She highlights the significance of building trust within teams, fostering genuine connections, and creating an environment where people feel safe to..." Read more

"...The idea of embracing vulnerability and leading with empathy is inspiring, but it may not always be practical in every organizational context...." Read more

325 customers mention "Readability"325 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth reading. They appreciate the well-researched material and substantial experience. The writing style is easy to grasp and convincing. Many readers consider it a great resource for members to use to kindly hold leaders accountable.

"...Dare to Lead would also be a great resource for members to use to kindly hold leaders accountable...." Read more

"...to reassess my values, visions, victories and even failures on a personal level so that I can thrive not just professionally but in all areas of my..." Read more

"...Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." is an exceptional book that challenges traditional notions of leadership and inspires readers to lead with..." Read more

"...Overall, Dare to Lead is a valuable read for anyone interested in building trust as a leader and general personal development...." Read more

146 customers mention "Advice level"118 positive28 negative

Customers find the book provides practical advice and insights on leadership. They appreciate the references for implementing the concepts in their organization. The concepts make sense and can be applied to both professional and personal life. Readers appreciate the focus on practical applications and the learning experience.

"...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...." Read more

"...concludes with a "Put It into Practice" section, which provides actionable steps and reflective questions to guide the reader's personal growth and..." Read more

"...One of the book’s strengths is its focus on practical applications...." Read more

"...This is a great one to start with and the information presented can be applied to all areas of life...." Read more

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Customers find the book easy to read and relatable. They appreciate the clear, concise writing style and straightforward presentation of information. The stories are personal but highly relatable. Readers appreciate the author's down-to-earth approach and easy-to-understand concepts.

"...This is that book that you can read over and over and will always find new nuggets of wisdom." Read more

"...The Good: Brene Brown is brilliant. Her writing is no-nonsense, direct, and very applicable in every area of life...." Read more

"...Her style of writing is kind and relatable...." Read more

"...It is very difficult to read at times. Some pages were printed crookedly...." Read more

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Customers find the book relatable with interesting stories and quotes. They appreciate the personal side of leadership and find it inspiring. The research and personal experiences are used to offer a compelling view of what leadership can be.

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"...Brené Brown's blend of research, personal stories, and practical guidance make this book a valuable resource for leaders across industries and at..." Read more

"...While it may not provide all the answers, it offers a compelling view of what leadership can be when grounded in courage, empathy, and authenticity." Read more

"There are some good points in this book but there is much repetition. This book could have been much shorter. It’s a boring and painful read." Read more

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Customers find the book's message inspiring and relatable. They appreciate the author's honesty, bravery, humor, and storytelling. The words of wisdom resonate with readers and are applicable for everyone. The book helps readers emotionally improve and captures the human spirit well.

"...And the upside is that we will not only improve the quality of our own lives, but the lives of those we interact with...." Read more

"...Brown offers actionable advice on building trust, navigating difficult conversations, setting boundaries, and embracing failure as a learning..." Read more

"...Her emphasis on living one’s values and leading with empathy resonates deeply, making the book relevant for leaders at all levels...." Read more

"...Amazing messages, great writing style, versatile applications and this book will make you a better person 10/10..." Read more

28 customers mention "Vulnerability"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's message about vulnerability as a strength useful. They appreciate the author's encouragement for growth and vulnerability as a leader. The book provides insights on how vulnerability can foster innovation, trust, and meaningful relationships.

"...book, Brown explores various aspects of daring leadership, including trust, empathy, resilience, and the ability to have difficult conversations...." Read more

"...Brown provides actionable advice on how to build trust, foster resilience, and create a positive workplace culture...." Read more

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Customers appreciate the book's empathy and compassion. They find it helps them improve emotional intelligence, set boundaries, and practice empathy. The compassionate perspectives help them control their feelings and emotions. The book challenges them, makes them cry, and laugh. It is refreshing and relieving for readers.

"saved me grief and kept me from causing others grief...." Read more

"...Brown explores various aspects of daring leadership, including trust, empathy, resilience, and the ability to have difficult conversations...." Read more

"...a compelling view of what leadership can be when grounded in courage, empathy, and authenticity." Read more

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Bookwyrm
Not just for work! Wish I had this book years ago, it would have
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2018
Verified Purchase

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.

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JT
BEWARE: Will cause introspection & increased self-awareness
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2025
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This book came onto my radar during a leadership development course offered at my workplace. I will admit that I expected this to be just another cliche in the long list of leadership books about effective communication and the qualities a leader must have etc...But boy was I wrong!

Dare to lead is a Call to Action! How am I leading myself in order to effectively lead others? I've always viewed leadership as something external and geared towards the people I oversee but not necessarily for myself. Well, I got that completely wrong! Each chapter is a serious introspection and challenge to reassess my values, visions, victories and even failures on a personal level so that I can thrive not just professionally but in all areas of my life. I especially liked how Brene incorporated personal stories into each chapter to create connection and make it more relatable. This is that book that you can read over and over and will always find new nuggets of wisdom.

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Marcin Gorski
Exceptional Guidance from Brene Brown
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
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"Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." by Brené Brown is an extraordinary book that delves into the realms of leadership and vulnerability. With her signature blend of research, personal anecdotes, and insightful wisdom, Brown offers a transformative guide for leaders who aspire to create courageous, inclusive, and empathetic work environments.

The book begins by debunking common misconceptions about leadership and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability. Brown challenges the traditional notion that leaders must be invulnerable and strong at all times, arguing that true leadership requires authenticity, self-awareness, and the willingness to be vulnerable. She encourages leaders to step into the arena, embrace discomfort, and cultivate a culture of psychological safety where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Throughout the book, Brown explores various aspects of daring leadership, including trust, empathy, resilience, and the ability to have difficult conversations. She highlights the significance of building trust within teams, fostering genuine connections, and creating an environment where people feel safe to take risks and be themselves. Brown emphasizes the importance of empathy as a leadership skill, reminding us of the power of truly understanding and caring for others.

One of the book's strengths is its incorporation of research and data to support Brown's insights. She draws upon her own extensive research and interviews with leaders from diverse industries to provide evidence-based strategies and practices. The integration of real-life examples adds depth and authenticity to the book, making it relatable and applicable to a wide range of leadership contexts.

What sets "Dare to Lead" apart from other leadership books is its emphasis on the role of vulnerability in effective leadership. Brown skillfully explores how vulnerability can lead to greater innovation, creativity, and connection within organizations. She guides readers through exercises and practices that encourage self-reflection, helping leaders identify their own vulnerabilities and develop the courage to show up authentically in their roles.

Furthermore, the writing style of "Dare to Lead" is engaging and accessible. Brown's warmth, humor, and storytelling ability make the book an enjoyable and compelling read. She effortlessly combines personal anecdotes with research findings, making complex concepts easily understandable and relatable.

The book also provides practical tools and strategies that leaders can implement immediately. Brown offers actionable advice on building trust, navigating difficult conversations, setting boundaries, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. Each chapter concludes with a "Put It into Practice" section, which provides actionable steps and reflective questions to guide the reader's personal growth and development as a leader.

In conclusion, "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." is an exceptional book that challenges traditional notions of leadership and inspires readers to lead with vulnerability, courage, and wholeheartedness. Brené Brown's blend of research, personal stories, and practical guidance make this book a valuable resource for leaders across industries and at all levels of experience. Whether you are a seasoned executive or aspiring leader, "Dare to Lead" will empower you to create transformative change within yourself and your organization.

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Top reviews from other countries

Michelle Reynolds
Life Changing Book. 5 stars is not enough!
Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2025
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I had purchased this author's book as an audiobook. I have listened to it a few times, and each time I love it more and more. I have finally decided to roll up my sleeves, find my arena and rumble out the uncomfortable and chanllenging things in my life. Dr. Brené Brown has offered me many different perspectives and her book is riddled with personal experiences. She recommends working through the book and workbook with another person. So I bought 2 copies. I for me and one for a very good friend to share this journey with.

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Paola R.
Easy to read and full of aha moments
Reviewed in Mexico on August 26, 2024
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Short, direct to the essential points. Clear examples and great background in human behavior, fears, and challenges for the new leaders.

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Margarete
super helpful
Reviewed in Brazil on January 29, 2023
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It’s realistic so it’s really help , I recommend and
I will definitely read it again.
Thank you Brene .

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Robyn Harris
Another great book from Dr Brené Brown
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2025
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I love all of Brené Brown's books and this was no exception. In fact I initially ordered it on Audible but found it so insightful I decided I wanted a hard copy too. I feel this will be so helpful for me both in my own life and in my work!

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I loved it! Was very helpful during my vacation.
On time delivery
Reviewed in Germany on December 19, 2024
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The delivery was on time and the book was in perfect condition.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for work! Wish I had this book years ago, it would have

5.0 out of 5 stars BEWARE: Will cause introspection & increased self-awareness

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Guidance from Brene Brown

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing Book. 5 stars is not enough!

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and full of aha moments

5.0 out of 5 stars super helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from Dr Brené Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars On time delivery

Not just for work! Wish I had this book years ago, it would have

BEWARE: Will cause introspection & increased self-awareness

Exceptional Guidance from Brene Brown

Life Changing Book. 5 stars is not enough!

Easy to read and full of aha moments

super helpful

Another great book from Dr Brené Brown

On time delivery