Who is Brene Brown?
Brené Brown is a world-renowned author, speaker, professor, and podcast host. Her work focuses on vulnerability, shame, and courageous leadership. However, what really led to Brene’s fame was her widely viewed 2010 TEDx talk in Houston. The talk is titled The Power of Vulnerability and focuses on the connection between courage and vulnerability. Great leaders have the confidence to show up even when they don’t have control of the outcome.
In 2012, Brene went on to host another TEDx talk titled Listening to Shame, in which she discusses how her life has changed since 2010 and builds on the connection between vulnerability and shame.
Brene continues to explore these topics through interviews, books, focus groups, podcasts, videos, and more.
In 2020, Brene launched two inspiring podcasts, and she also became the author of six number-one New York Times bestsellers in 2021.
The Best Leadership Books By Brené Brown
If you’re a fan of inspiring self-help and motivational management books, Brene’s work is perfect for you.
Brene’s books focus on topics like empathy, vulnerability, shame, and courage and how these elements are interconnected.
Her work is well-researched, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Social Work influences her writing. As a result, her books take on an academic approach to answers and combine research with raw human emotion.
Additionally, fans of Brene adore her ability to incorporate humor and heart-wrenching stories in her books, making them incredibly relatable and authentic.
Here are five must-read books by Brene Brown:
1. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
In Brene’s most recent book – Atlas of the Heart, she takes readers through 87 emotions that define what it means to be human. She also teaches readers how to navigate human connections and develop meaningful relationships. The book is supposed to be an atlas for everyone. This way, the book gives every reader the tools and resources to go through life without losing their authentic selves and stories – even when they feel lost.
2. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
This book by Brene Brown has sold over two million copies in more than 30 unique languages. This game-changing classic discusses the importance of overcoming fear to achieve personal growth, self-discovery, and unconditional love.
The Gifts of Imperfection is an inspiring guide to authentic and wholehearted living – it’s by no means the average self-help book. Through Brene’s honest storytelling, readers can easily relate to her words and lessons. Moreover, Brene’s work is always well-researched and presents practical ways to achieve one’s goals. For example, in this specific book, Brene presents readers with “ten guideposts,” which are steps that people can take to build an authentic and honest life – one that’s filled with imperfections.
3. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown encourages leaders in various fields to embrace vulnerability, empathy, and resilience. Brene considers these to be the most crucial leadership qualities.
Readers will learn how to be courageous enough to embrace leadership that exposes fear and uncertainty. Moreover, Brene discusses how leadership isn’t defined by status and power – it’s about recognizing the potential in the people around you and helping those people recognize and develop that potential.
Additionally, it’s imperative for leaders to embrace difficult conversations and circumstances. This way, they can truly tap into their vulnerability and lead with authenticity.
4. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown encourages readers to be courageous enough to not be afraid of failure and vulnerability.
The book is incredibly inspiring, mainly because nowadays, it can be challenging to put your authentic self out there without feeling like you’ll get criticized or hurt. Daring Greatly will help you take on uncomfortable, daunting, and scary tasks to grow and pursue your goals authentically. Whether it’s a new job, relationship, hobby, or any other undertaking, this book will help you step out of your comfort zone.
5. Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Rising Strong by Brene Brown teaches readers the importance of perseverance and resilience. Brene shares insights from teachers, parents, Fortune 500 companies, artists, couples in long-term relationships, and more in the book. Brene discusses how these people have one thing in common – the ability to recognize and appreciate human emotion and lean into it.
Brene says that the Rising Strong process is the same whether your struggles are incredibly life-changing, like losing a job or ending a relationship or less like getting into an argument with a family member. To overcome our struggles stronger and better, we need to deal with our emotions and embrace them. This way, we can rise strong after a fall.
Once you’ve read these four books by Brene, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more vulnerable, empathic, and mindful leader and an all-around happier person.
4 Brene Brown Quotes That Will Inspire Any Leader
There’s no doubt that inspiring quotes can give you a motivational boost when you need one, especially during stress, uncertainty, and confusion.
Fortunately, Brene Brown has gifted the world with inspiring quotes that can help anyone feel more confident and brave enough to show up and go for their goals.
1. “Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it’s a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the people’s reaction in the stands.”
2. “It wasn’t always a choice; we were born curious. But over time, we learn that curiosity, like vulnerability, can lead to hurt. As a result, we turn to self-protecting—choosing certainty over curiosity, armor over vulnerability, and knowing over learning.”
3. “Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
4. “Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don’t belong. You will always find it because you’ve made that your mission. Stop scouring people’s faces for evidence that you’re not enough. You will always find it because you’ve made that your goal. True belonging and self-worth are not goods; we don’t negotiate their value with the world. The truth about who we are lives in our hearts. Our call to courage protects our wild hearts against constant evaluation, especially our own. No one belongs here more than you.”
You can read the above Brene Brown quotes to motivate yourself, or you can choose to share them with others – family members, friends, and teammates. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has experienced incredibly trying and unexpected times. Sharing these quotes with others can help you instill hope and uplift others.
And if you’re thinking that a simple Brene Brown quote won’t change someone’s life, it might actually be exactly what someone needs to make a change in their life or start their day on the right foot.
Brené Brown’s Top 3 Podcasts
In early February 2022, Brene Brown released a statement mentioning that she had paused work on her podcasts due to Spotify’s misinformation policy.
However, she then stated that she will be resuming her two podcasts titled Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. Despite the controversies with Spotify, Brene is committed to podcasting on Spotify to discuss and explore critical societal issues.
The Unlocking Us podcast is an honest and vulnerable podcast that features inspiring guests, including Harriet Lerner and Ibram X. Kendi. These guests talk about what it means to live a whole-hearted life.
Brene encourages listeners to embrace conversations that discuss what it truly means to be human. This way, we can lead real lives and love and parent with more courage and empathy.
The Dare to Lead podcast is based on Brene’s book with the same title. The podcast features conversations with leaders, artists, culture shifters, etc. Brene aims to use the podcast to help listeners show up, step up, and lead with courage and authenticity.
However, Brene also recently launched podcast episodes based on her new book. Here are three Atlas of the Heart podcasts that definitely deserve a listen:
1. Atlas of the Heart: A Sisters Book Club, Part 1 of 3
In the first episode of this three-part podcast, Brene Brown is interviewed by Ashley Brown Ruiz and Barrett Guillen
The interview covers Brene’s new book – Atlas of the Heart, and listeners get the answers to all their burning questions about the book. The podcast discusses the background to the book, childhood superpowers, biography, behavior, and more.
Additionally, the podcast looks at how the book’s data was collected and why the book is split into three sections. This podcast is definitely for you if you’re interested in how the Atlas of the Heart came to life.
2. Atlas of the Heart: A Sisters Book Club, Part 2 of 3
The second episode looks at specific findings, emotions, and experiences in the book. Ashley Ruiz and Barrett Guillen also ask Brene some interesting questions about her favorite songs and more. So if you want to learn more about Brene Brown, give this podcast a listen.
3. Atlas of the Heart: A Sisters Book Club, Part 3 of 3
The last episode explores the connection between art and emotions and how parents can bring out this connection in their children. Brene, Ashley, and Barrett also look at how familial behavior and patterns affect our upbringing and how difficult moments in our life can affect our core decision-making processes.
Brené Brown’s Top Videos That Every Leader Should Watch
Brene Brown has also appeared in a host of inspiring videos. However, the best Brene Brown video has to be the 2010 Brene Brown TED talk, which is available all over the internet.
She is also the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix. The Brene Brown Netflix documentary is called The Call to Courage and debuted on the streaming service in April 2019.
In October 2021, Brene filmed a five-part series for HBO Max. The dynamic series is now streaming on HBO and features stories, film, TV references, guest speakers, role-plays, etc.
The series takes a deep dive into Brene’s book – Atlas of the Heart, and explores 30 of the 87 emotions and experiences covered in the book.
Through the series, viewers will learn to identify and name the 30 emotions and discover ways to make meaningful connections.
How Corporate Class Can Help You Transform Into a Better Leader
If you want to become a better leader, visit the Corporate Class website today. We offer great Dare to Lead™ training programs and workshops to help you become a more confident and mindful leader.
Daring leadership is a collection of four courage skill sets that are 100% teachable, measurable, and observable. In this program, you will develop the skills to do brave work, have tough conversations and show up with your whole heart.
Contact us today if you’re ready to learn more about Brené Brown and discover how to live life by her principles.
