Daring leadership lessons by Brené Brown that actually confuse you — where vulnerability feels like a high-stakes game of emotional Jenga, and “grounded confidence” sounds suspiciously like a yoga pose for stressed-out managers
First, we get the absolutely necessary confession about her British mystery series addiction.
Because nothing says "I'm a grounded-theory researcher who studies courage".
It is like telling us she reads a book a week and could basically join Scotland Yard.
This pastime isn't just for fun.
It's scientifically validated as "creative incubation through deliberate distraction."
It's not procrastination, people, it's spreading activation!
Good to know that tearing through formulaic whodunits is now a key part of the intellectual process.
And leadership is not just finding your strong ground and doing the Tush Push in the football field.
Don't worry, she's currently reading one that requires too much thought, so she had to postpone her distraction.
The sheer vulnerability of that admission is palpable.
The Dare To Lead Origin Story: Everyone Agreed!
Then we arrive at the "Dare to Lead Origin Story," which is basically the corporate version of the Ten Commandments.
Dr. Brown asked CEOs one question, and gasp, they all gave the same answer: "We need braver leaders and more courageous cultures."
Whoa. Stop the presses.
A bunch of high-powered executives, after presumably intense self-reflection, decided the solution to all their complex, intractable problems was... courage.
It's so saturated in the data it practically formed a puddle.
The list of ten problems that courage could solve is a delightful bingo card of corporate dysfunction:
- "Nice and polite" as an excuse to be spineless.
- The "dirty yes" (saying yes to your face, no behind your back). A classic!
- Too much time managing bad behavior, not enough on feelings. Because who has time for strategy when you're busy consoling a grown adult who's questioning their value after a setback?
- Opting out of diversity conversations because of the fear of gasp saying something wrong. The ultimate act of self-preservation masquerading as sensitivity.
But don't worry, she didn't just stop at identifying the roadblocks.
No, she tested instruments with MBA students at Rice, Northwestern, and Wharton.
Because if anyone is the ultimate crucible for emotional vulnerability, it's a bunch of people who just shelled out six figures for a business degree.
Daring Leadership Lessons By Brené Brown
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a leadership manual meets a puzzle wrapped in a riddle?
Then these Brené Brown's daring leadership lessons that actually confuse you is your new best friend.
Besides her paradox obsession and negative capability idea inspired by the English poet John Keats.
The Chapter 7 from Solid Ground reads like someone tried to turn courage into a complicated board game—with rules that keep changing just when you think you’ve got it.
Winning is Good, Unless It’s Toxic, Unless You’re A Woman
The author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers, Brené Brown take us on a scenic tour of playing to win versus playing not to lose.
A concept so nuanced it could only be illustrated by sports metaphors.
Don’t worry, there are stats about women in leadership and their athletic pasts.
Because apparently your promotion is directly proportional to your ability to dribble in college.
Also, apparently women saying they want to “win” is controversial, not because society is riddled with gender bias.
But because we’ve collectively decided that female ambition must be pre-approved by a focus group. Cool.
Digital Transformation Needs Feelings Too
Tech leaders, take note: If your cloud migration failed, it’s probably because you didn’t emotionally connect with your VPN.
Brown quotes Harvard professor Dr. Linda Hill, who reminds us that digital transformation isn’t about tools.
It’s about your team’s fragile inner child.
This is less a tech strategy and more like couples therapy for your DevOps department.
Winning is Good, Unless It’s Toxic, Unless You’re a Woman
Chapter 7 of Strong Ground takes us on a scenic tour of playing to win versus playing not to lose.
A concept so nuanced it could only be illustrated by sports metaphors.
Don’t worry, there are stats about women in leadership and their athletic pasts, because apparently your promotion is directly proportional to your ability to dribble in college.
Also, apparently women saying they want to “win” is controversial, not because society is riddled with gender bias.
But because we’ve collectively decided that female ambition must be pre-approved by a focus group. Cool.
Vulnerability Or Another Armor Swap?
So apparently, the secret sauce of leadership is to “put down your armor”.
No, not medieval plate mail, but the emotional kind that feels like it’s been glued to you since birth.
Daring leaders are supposed to replace it with something called “grounded confidence.”
Sounds great, but how do you put down something you’ve been dragging around for decades without tripping over your own feelings?
Four Skill Sets Of Courage
Brené Brown’s program boasts four skill sets of courage, which promise to transform timid managers into bold action heroes.
Because what every workplace needs is more “rumbling with vulnerability” and “living into values.”
It’s almost like emotional CrossFit, but instead of dumbbells, you lift heavy conversations that leave everyone gasping for air.
Shame, Guilt, Humiliation And Embarrassment
Confused about your feelings?
Don’t worry, Brown breaks down shame, guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment like a cocktail menu—except the hangover is self-awareness.
Apparently, humiliation is the “missing link” to global violence.
So next time your boss calls you out in a meeting, remember, you’re just one step away from international unrest.
Power Talks: Over, With, To, and Within
Power is defined here by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
And dissected with the enthusiasm of a linguistics professor who’s discovered a new verb.
The classic “power over” vs. “power with” battle gets an update.
It sounds less like leadership and more like a TED Talks at your local coffee shop.
If you’re into leadership that sounds like a conspiracy theory about ego control, this one’s for you.
Grounded Confidence: Kettlebells For Your Soul
Just when you thought things couldn’t get more metaphorical, Brown drops the phrase “kettlebells of grounded confidence”.
These metaphors are supposed to build “empathy muscle”, or possibly give your therapist job security for the next five years.
Finally, the highlight: leadership as a workout routine.
Yes, forget push-ups, it’s time for emotional kettlebells.
Because nothing says “I’m ready to lead” like mixing vulnerability reps with trust-building lunges.
Conclusion: Daring Leadership Lessons By Brené Brown
So there you have it—daring leadership lessons that actually confuse you.
A cocktail of vulnerability, power dynamics, emotional anatomy, and fitness metaphors designed to turn your leadership journey into an emotional obstacle course.
Brené Brown wants you to do hard things, have tough conversations, and show up without your metaphorical suit of armor.
Unless your armor is a well-crafted LinkedIn post — in which case, rumble on, brave warrior.
This Chapter 7 shows how daring leadership begins with self-awareness and courage.
Of not forgetting her earlier chapter on the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
Plus thinking like a scientist of self-help with Adam Grant.
👉 To see how these lessons fit into Brené Brown’s full message, read: Brené Brown Strong Ground Review: Leadership Mantras And Corporate Gym Stories
finding your strong grounddoing the Tush Pushparadox obsessionsnegative capabilitynegative capabilitythe thrill of victory and the agony of defeatthinking like a scientist of self-help with Adam Grant
