Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Researcher and thought leader Dr. Brené Brown offers a powerful new vision that encourages us to dare greatly: to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly, and to courageously engage in our lives.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” —Theodore Roosevelt
Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable, or to dare greatly. Whether the arena is a new relationship, an important meeting, our creative process, or a difficult family conversation, we must find the courage to walk into vulnerability and engage with our whole hearts.
In Daring Greatly, Dr. Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability. Based on twelve years of research, she argues that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection. The book that Dr. Brown’s many fans have been waiting for, Daring Greatly will spark a new spirit of truth—and trust—in our organizations, families, schools, and communities.
Review''A wonderful book: urgent, essential and fun to read. I couldn't put it down, and it continues to resonate with me.'' --Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author
''The brilliantly insightful Brene Brown draws upon extensive research and personal experience to explore the paradoxes of courage: we become strong by embracing vulnerability, we dare more greatly when we acknowledge our fear. I can't stop thinking about this book.'' --Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author
''In Daring Greatly, Brene Brown refers to herself as both a mapmaker and a traveler. In my book, that makes her a guide. And I believe the world needs more guides like her who are showing us a wiser way to our inner world. If you'd like to set your course on being more courageous and connected, engaged and resilient, leave the GPS at home. Daring Greatly is all the navigation you'll need.'' --Maria Shriver, New York Times bestselling author
''Daring Greatly is an important book--a timely warning about the danger of pursuing certainty and control above all. Brene Brown offers all of us a valuable guide to the real reward of vulnerability: greater courage.'' --Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author
''What I find remarkable about this book is the unique combination of solid research and kitchen table storytelling. Brene becomes such a real person in the book that you can actually hear her voice asking, ''Have you dared greatly today?'' The invitation in this book is clear: We must be larger than anxiety, fear, and shame if we want to speak, act, and show up. The world needs this book and Brene's unique blend of warmth, humor, and ass-kicking makes her the perfect person to inspire us to dare greatly.'' --Harriet Lerner, PhD, New York Times bestselling author
''I deeply trust Brene Brown--her research, her intelligence, her integrity, and her personhood. So when she definitively lands on the one most important value we can cultivate for professional success, relationship health, parental joy, and courageous, passionate living . . . well, I sit up and take notice. And even when that one most critical value turns out to be the risky act of being vulnerable. Brene dared greatly to write this book, and you will benefit greatly to read it and to put its razor-sharp wisdom into action in your own life and work.'' --Elizabeth Lesser, New York Times bestselling author and cofounder of the Omega Institute
''One of the tragic ironies of modern life is that so many people feel isolated from each other by the very feelings they have in common: including a fear of failure and a sense of not being enough. Brene Brown shines a bright light into these dark recesses of human emotion and reveals how these feelings can gnaw at fulfillment in education, at work, and in the home. She shows too how they can be transformed to help us live more wholehearted lives of courage, engagement, and purpose. Brene Brown writes as she speaks, with wisdom, wit, candor, and a deep sense of humanity. If you're a student, teacher, parent, employer, employee, or just alive and wanting to live more fully, you should read this book. I double dare you.'' --Sir Ken Robinson, New York Times bestselling author
''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. Embrace the courage to be vulnerable. Dare to read this book!'' --Chris Guillebeau, New York Times bestselling author
''Here's the essence of this book: vulnerability is courage in you but inadequacy in me. Brene's book, weaving together research and Texan anecdote, shows you some paths forward. And don't for a moment think this is only for women. Men carry the burden of Being Strong and Never Weak, and we pay a heavy price for it. Daring Greatly can help us all.'' --Michael Bungay Stanier, author of Do More Great Work
''In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. Embrace the courage to be vulnerable. Dare to read this book!'' — Chris Guillebeau, New York Times bestselling author
''Here's the essence of this book: vulnerability is courage in you but inadequacy in me. Brene's book, weaving together research and Texan anecdote, shows you some paths forward. And don't for a moment think this is only for women. Men carry the burden of Being Strong and Never Weak, and we pay a heavy price for it. Daring Greatly can help us all.'' --Michael Bungay Stanier, author of Do More Great Work
About the AuthorBRENE BROWN, PhD, LMSW, is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. A nationally renowned teacher and speaker, she is also the author of The Gifts of Imperfection and I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't). Her groundbreaking work has been featured widely in the media, including PBS and NPR.