Dare to Lead Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

For our University course, we had to choose a book from a list to read, and I was already planning on reading dare to lead, so I naturally chose this one. As someone interested in self-development and after reading many books about it, I can say that I enjoyed reading it. Brené Brown gives us a real-world and research-based approach to a different leadership style than most of us know of a typical leader. Whether you are a high-ranking leader, a leader of a small group, or even just for yourself in your everyday life, this book will make you grow in many aspects. Brené Brown emphasizes the importance of being open towards one another and embracing vulnerability. Often, people believe a leader should be infallible. However, she argues that to strengthen a relationship it requires being vulnerable, sharing uncertainties, admitting mistakes, or even just asking for help. I liked this part, as I am a big fan of creating an environment where people can express their concerns without fear, a place where people trust each other, and people feel free to connect on a human level. Rather than trying to appear invulnerable (which none of us truly are), just being open strengthens the team as a whole. Brown introduces us to her "BRAVING" Model, a guide for building and maintaining trust. It is a particularly helpful section as it provides us with a step-by-step explanation of how trust is built. Leaders can walk away with a clear plan for fostering trust and a greater understanding of why it matters. It’s rare that books on leadership provide both conceptual frameworks and practical tools, and Brown does an amazing job of bridging this gap. Another strong point in this book is its way of describing the treatment of emotions within the workplace. Brown shows us that negative emotions, though often avoided, can be beneficial, as they can provide us with valuable information. So, harnessing our emotions rather than suppressing them can be very useful, especially as a leader who will be better equipped to inspire and motivate his team. She emphasizes that instead of trying to give an image of stoic perfection, leaders should aim to be real and relatable. This is particularly relevant as many people believe a leader should hide his emotions to appear strong. However, it’s worth being a little skeptical when relying solely on vulnerability. Is it enough on its own to manage all the complexities of a manager's life and its responsibilities? Some people might have less respect for a leader who seems vulnerable and may try to exploit it for their own benefit. Additionally, there could be different expectations towards a leader, depending on cultural differences. Some may see vulnerability as a weakness and have less respect, and some may not. While she argues about the universality of human emotions, it is still uncertain if people with different backgrounds have the same expectations towards their leader. If you are already a high-ranking manager seeking insights into strategic decision-making or navigating market-specific challenges, you might not find what you need. But overall, I would highly recommend dare to lead. It offers a new and well-needed perspective on leadership and how to cultivate vulnerability and authenticity. It emphasizes the importance of building trust and developing emotional intelligence in the workplace. Especially now that many companies are focusing on inclusive and supportive environments. My only reservations are whether this approach can be a universal solution for everyone and whether it’s always applicable in the more complex, fast-paced life of a manager. ...weiterlesen

Dare to Lead by Brené Brown is a powerful and insightful read that offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be a leader in today’s world. It explores key concepts around leadership that resonate in both professional and personal spheres. The two central themes of the book—vulnerability and empathy—stood out to me as particularly impactful. As a student of economics at Zurich, aspiring to leadership in both my career and personal life, these ideas felt especially relevant. In many cultures, men have historically been expected to embody strength and bravery, often at the cost of expressing emotions. This cultural expectation led many men to hide their true feelings, resulting in emotional isolation and perceived emotional coldness. Fortunately, over time, it has became more and more normal and natural for us men to talk about our emotions. It is also seems more acceptable for men to express vulnerability, although challenges remain. Both men and women often struggle, I believe, with the belief that vulnerability equals weakness. In Dare to Lead, Brown urges us to rethink this. She emphasizes that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a strength. Embracing vulnerability creates environments where people feel safe, accepted, and more willing to take creative risks without fear of judgment or failure. In a corporate setting, for example, this shift in perspective could foster innovation and bravery among team members. Having said that, in my opinion, Brown over-emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in some contexts. While vulnerability is vital for building trust and encouraging innovation, there are industries and situations where leaders need to make quick, tough decisions, and showing too much vulnerability could be counterproductive. As a leader, there will always be moments when your decisions disappoint or upset others—that’s part of the role. Therefore, I would have appreciated more discussion around the tension between vulnerability and the demands of leadership in high-pressure environments. Another crucial aspect of leadership, according to Brown, is the importance of defining and living by one’s personal core values. She encourages leaders to identify just a few guiding principles that can serve as a compass in decision- making. Without these values, we risk making poor choices that can have long- term consequences. I’ve seen parallels to this in my own studies, particularly in the field of scientific research. There are instances where researchers have Peter Baumgartner Personal Branding HS24 manipulated data for personal gain, leading to a loss of both their careers and integrity. Having clear, non-negotiable values is critical to avoiding such pitfalls. One of the practical tools I found particularly useful in the book was the BRAVING framework, which stands for Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault (keeping confidences), Integrity, Non-judgment, and Generosity. This framework provides a clear roadmap for building trust and strong relationships, whether you’re already in a leadership role or simply aspiring to one. Overall, Dare to Lead is an excellent resource for anyone interested in leadership, whether you’re aspiring to lead, like myself, or already in a management role. The book offers numerous valuable insights, and its focus on emotional intelligence, compassion, and values-driven leadership is a refreshing alternative to more traditional, power-based approaches. If you haven’t read Dare to Lead yet, I highly recommend you do so—you’ll find intellectual and practical takeaways that can be applied to numerous spheres of life. So stop scrolling and start buying! P.B ...weiterlesen