Leading with Vulnerability

I recently picked up Dare to Lead by Bréne Brown. This is the leadership book I’ve been waiting for and didn’t know I needed. As Bréne brilliantly explores, vulnerability is so often seen as weakness, but in our day-to-day, there is no moment of courage that doesn’t require vulnerability. Embracing it is a sign of strength.

Courage is acting in spite of fear, uncertainty, and potential danger

The other concept that struck me was “clear is kind.” I’ve seen many examples in my career of leaders sugar-coating or softening messages in an attempt to make a hard conversation easier. Ultimately, lack of clarity breaks down trust and adds to the stack of problems. Honest, straight-forward conversation, delivered in a way that shows care and respect, is always more effective.

I look forward to reading Bréne’s other books and learning more from this fantastic researcher, leader and writer.