Brené Brown’s Brave New World
Even if you don’t know Brené Brown’s books, you’re likely to have encountered her TED Talks during your online travels. Her message of embracing vulnerability as the key to authentic living resonated with millions of people worldwide, in turn propelling her books to become New York Times bestsellers.
As her latest title, Dare to Lead, has just hit bookstores, let’s take a little stroll through what it has to offer — taking in her back list as we go.
Blaze a Brave Trail
Dare to Lead
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
What are the traits that you consider essential to good leadership? Chances are, vulnerability isn’t one of them. But Brené Brown’s new release, Dare to Lead, argues that it may in fact be the most meaningful thing a leader can bring to the table. Why? Because vulnerability requires courage, clarity, and a willingness to be challenged. Leading in a way that refuses to acknowledge you may be wrong will stifle growth and creativity, instead of nurturing it. A more flexible approach that honors our mutual humanity will encourage accountability, authenticity, and lead to more fulfilling work for everyone!
Walking on the Wild Side
Braving the Wilderness
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
Published in September 2017, Braving the Wilderness, queries what it means to really belong. In a society that is blatantly struggling to understand itself, opinion has rarely been more polarized, and many of us feel alienated from our fellow humans. Loneliness is the epidemic of our time, and many feel ostracized due to anger, unrest, and feelings of powerlessness. This book expands on her earlier thesis that vulnerability will bring us back to each other, and uses a mix of scientific findings and deft storytelling skills to signpost us back to a more connected, empathetic world.
Past Imperfect
The Gifts of Imperfection
- 18 min reading time
How often do you think about what you should do rather than what you want to do? How often do you stress out about not fitting into a particular societal mold? Our need to appear perfect has been compounded by a world of social media where everyone seems to live a life worthy of the pages of Kinfolk. In actual fact however, happiness isn’t found by achieving perfection, but in accepting and celebrating our so-called imperfections. Brown’s message is that by being truly authentic and embracing our quirks, we’ll be able to live a more honest, fulfilling, empowered life.
You’re Not Alone
I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t)
- 13 min reading time
- audio version available
In this 2007 publication, Brown examines the complex nature of shame, and teaches us how to deal with it constructively. Shame is a visceral emotion that often arises when people seek compassion, but are instead hit with rejection. Feelings of inadequacy and shame can fester in all of us, at times when we are feeling exposed, and treated insensitively by others. Empathy is the antidote to shame. The author shows us how we can cultivate empathy in order to detangle our knots of negative emotion. Read this top pick to learn how to be kinder to yourself, and the benefits gained from reaffirming that ‘I am enough.’
I Get Knocked Down
Rising Strong
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
In order to achieve anything, you first have to fail. How we deal with that failure has a lot to do with how we will continue on to eventually achieve success, whatever that means to you. Learn how to deal effectively with personal disappointment or to lead a team through a difficult task. Rising Strong offers a three-stage solution to improve communication and build confidence in both our personal and professional lives. Learn how to accept failure, and recover from a negative experience in a way that will give rise to a more balanced state of mind.
Brené Brown’s books have garnered their fair share of acclaim and for good reason. Her encouraging, human, kind-hearted message resonates with people the world over, no matter what it is that they want to achieve in life.
