Dare to Lead Book Summary - Dare to Lead Book explained in key points
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Dare to Lead summary

Brené Brown

Brave work. Tough conversations. Whole hearts.

4.6 (1553 ratings)
17 mins

Brief summary

Dare To Lead by Brené Brown is a groundbreaking guide to cultivating courageous and effective leadership through vulnerability and empathy.
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    Dare to Lead
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    Far from being a weakness, vulnerability is an essential asset for innovation.

    Let's start this Blink by asking a bold question: what makes you feel vulnerable? Brené Brown has asked this question to thousands of individuals over the years. Most of the time, she gets the answers you'd connect with. Vulnerability is the first date after your difficult divorce, it's starting to run your first business, or it's how you feel when you get laid off from work. As these answers show, vulnerability is a universal human emotion. We feel it when we expose ourselves to others and experience times of risk or uncertainty.

    But, even though vulnerability is such a common feeling, we aren't always clear on what vulnerability is and – perhaps more crucially – what it isn't. Because one thing that vulnerability certainly isn't is a weakness. 

    Of course, experiences that make you feel vulnerable, like losing a job or putting yourself out there emotionally, can bring feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and a desire for self-protection. However, there is no single piece of empirical data to suggest that vulnerability is associated with weakness. In fact, the opposite is true: acts of courage are impossible if you don't first put yourself in a vulnerable position.

    Okay, so you might not be convinced yet. Well, let's give another example.

    In 2014, Brené Brown stood in a room of special forces military personnel. She first explained to them that vulnerability is the emotion that accompanies risk and uncertainty. Then, she asked these brave, tough soldiers whether any of them had ever undertaken or witnessed a courageous act that did not require them to feel vulnerable. 

    Not one of the soldiers could come up with a single example of courageousness in which vulnerability hadn't come along for the ride. To be clear: as soon as the audience focused on their actual courageous experiences, the myth of vulnerability and weakness crumbled. 

    Vulnerability isn't just essential to courage. It's the cornerstone of human innovation and creativity. Let me explain: As you probably know, creativity is a tricky thing to manage. You never quite know when it will strike. You also don't really know if your ideas will actually turn out to be any good. To put it bluntly, being creative requires you to fail – often, you might need to fail multiple times. 

    The risk of failure and the uncertainty it brings along requires you to be vulnerable. Any society that equates vulnerability with weakness will put people off trying to innovate. If you're scared to fail, you'll struggle to produce new ideas or fresh perspectives.

    Let's give the final word to Golden Globe-winning actress and writer Amy Poehler. Poehler points out that it's very difficult to let yourself be vulnerable, and those who can are often society's dreamers, thinkers, and creators.

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    What is Dare to Lead about?

    Dare to Lead (2018) explores how you can find the inner courage to lead a great team. Drawing on Brown's person experiences as a leadership coach, as well as recent research, these blinks explore how you can harness your emotions, quash your fear of failure, and become a daring leader in an increasingly competitive world.

    Dare to Lead Review

    Dare To Lead (2018) offers invaluable insights into what it takes to be a truly great leader. Here's why this book is a must-read:

    • It explores the power of vulnerability and empathy in building trust and fostering collaboration.
    • The author's research-based approach provides a solid foundation for her practical, actionable advice.
    • It challenges conventional leadership wisdom, introducing a refreshing and innovative perspective on what it means to lead.

    Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Brené Brown's expertise and transform your leadership style with Dare To Lead.

    Best quote from Dare to Lead

    If you have more than three priorities, you have no priorities.

    —Brené Brown
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    Who should read Dare to Lead?

    • Business psychology buffs seeking new insights
    • Leaders searching for a fresh perspective to connect with their team
    • Anyone trying to build their courage in the workplace

    About the Author

    Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, specializing in courage and empathy research. Her 2012 book, Daring Greatly, was a New York Times best seller. Her TED talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” has over 50 million views and is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks of all time.

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    Dare to Lead FAQs 

    What is the main message of Dare To Lead?

    The main message of Dare To Lead is that embracing vulnerability and empathy are key to becoming a courageous and effective leader.

    How long does it take to read Dare To Lead?

    It takes approximately 5-7 hours to read Dare To Lead. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.

    Is Dare To Lead a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Dare To Lead is a groundbreaking guide that offers innovative leadership insights and practical advice for personal growth.

    Who is the author of Dare To Lead?

    The author of Dare To Lead is Brené Brown.

    How many chapters are in Dare To Lead?

    Dare To Lead by Brené Brown has 16 chapters.
    1. Introduction
    2. Rumbling with Vulnerability
    3. Living into Our Values
    4. Braving Trust
    5. Learning to Rise
    6. Part One: The Moment and the Myths
    7. Part Two: The Call to Courage
    8. Part Three: The Armory
    9. Part Four: Shame and Empathy
    10. Part Five: Curiosity and Grounded Confidence
    11. Part Six: Rising Skills
    12. Part Seven: The Reckoning
    13. Part Eight: The Rumble
    14. Part Nine: The Revolution
    15. Part Ten: Integration
    16. Appendix

    How many pages are in Dare To Lead?

    Dare To Lead has 320 pages.

    When was Dare To Lead published?

    Dare To Lead was published in 2018.

    What to read after Dare to Lead?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Dare to Lead, here are some recommendations we suggest: Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown; Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown; The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown; Becoming by Michelle Obama; You Are Your Best Thing by Edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown; The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick M. Lencioni; Rising Strong by Brené Brown; Dare to Lead (New Version) by Brené Brown; Mastering Communication at Work by Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann; The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier.