Want a NOOK? Explore Now
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.
Winner of the 2012 Books for a Better Life Award for Motivational
In film, television, and battle sagas, we crave stories of fearless superheroes, but the heroes we value most are those who grapple not only with their enemies, but with their own vulnerability. This welcome new book explains why honestly accepting our limitations can enhance every aspect of our lives.
What it Means to Dare Greatly xii
Introduction: My Adventures in the Arena 4
Chapter 1 Scarcity: Looking Inside our Culture of "Never Enough" 18
Chapter 2 Debunking the Vulnerability Myths 32
Chapter 3 Understanding and Combating Shame 58
Chapter 4 The Vulnerability Armory 112
Chapter 5 Mind the Gap: Cultivating Change and Closing the Disengagement Divide 172
Chapter 6 Disruptive Engagement: Daring to Rehumanize Education and Work 184
Chapter 7 Wholehearted Parenting: Daring to be the Adults we Want Our Children to Be 214
Final Thoughts 247
Appendix-Trust in Emergence: Grounded Theory and My Research Process 251
Practicing Gratitude 261
Notes And References 265
Index 277
About the Author 289
Anonymous
Posted November 25, 2012
Daring Greatly presents a strong case for making one's self more vulnerable, which the author would define as showing up and letting one's self be seen--being the man in the arena from the Teddy Roosevelt speech from which the book takes its name. Brown's writing style is knowledgeable, but straightforward, just like her TED talks. Just like those talks, this book gives the reader a lot of terrific things to think about: the relationship between vulnerability and trust, the importance of boundaries and how they can exist with vulnerability and trust, how perfectionism and vulnerability are at cross purposes, and how being vulnerable is a path to connection. The author acknowledges that caring about what others think, but not letting their thoughts define us and being open to feedback, but unwilling to subject ourselves to criticism, is tricky in the balance. She offers a number of ways to help strike that balance more often than not. The book is a call to be vulnerable--as uncomfortable as that may be--but also an exploration of what is gained by daring greatly, and how to try.
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 21, 2012
I was excited to check this out ... but Nook sample is 13 pages - all of which is CIP and title page type data. Would love to actually see some of the book's content! I've heard good things about her work!
8 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 12, 2012
I saw Brene Brown on the Katie Couric TV show and I was so excited by what she said that I had to buy the book. I'm learning so much about myself and it is very helpful to thinking through how to be braver by being vulnerable. I would recommend it to my friends.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 12, 2012
Great book of encouraging thoughts. Taking emotional risks isn't always easy and yet learining to let go pushes you through to the next stage in your life. This book puts life into perspective to help you deal with "whatever". Life comes together than falls apart over and over again. Let there be room for all this to happen.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 24, 2012
Great book!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 22, 2012
I wasn't even able to finish this book as it seemed to go on and on about nothing. When my book club met we found that none of us were able to finsh the book as we all had the same experience.
4 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DebraR
Posted October 22, 2012
Brene Brown is awesome! A must read.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 14, 2012
very informative and self healing
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 12, 2012
It was easy to read and very thought provoking. I am a mental health counselor and also personally struggle with anxiety issues. I've already used some of her illustrations with my clients and recommended her book to them. It is also helping me personally as I venture out into a new business. Worth the money - great buy!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 19, 2013
Great Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of self modivation gets you realy thinking about life and how it could be and not how it should be.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 2, 2013
Sample allowed 13 pages all reviews. No content.
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2013
Loved the book and how it applies to so many aspects of life from business to parenting. I am recommending it and Dr. Brown on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday to everyone I know. This has been a blessing during a difficult time in my life!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 27, 2012
Shame free living!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 17, 2013
This book is engaging and very helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2013
I can't thank my friend enough for sending me the link to Brene's TedxHouston talk last year. Her book is just as genuine, honest, authentic, and, yes, courageous. I am reading it through and plan to re-read it with a highlighter in my hand! There is so much in the book that resonates with me. There is so much dead-on information here that I can use with my clients. I feel like I have discovered a long-lost friend I never knew I had!
Martha Moore (In the Arena!)
(Pen Name option doesn't work - had to post as Anonymous)
Anonymous
Posted April 15, 2013
This books is inspirational and eye opening. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is looking to improve their relationships and more importantly, the way we treat ourselves. It really opens your eyes to how insidious shame is and how important it is to be open and vulnerable, Brené Brown seems very down to earth and easy to relate to. She opens up and shares her own vulnerabilities and shares the stories of a variety of people. Each story gives you a new perspective on shame and makes it much easier to identify in your own life. Sometimes it comes off as overly sweet, but I like to think that when you're really connected to someone, it *is* that sweet.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 14, 2013
Alriht meet me at fum res three
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 13, 2013
Who r u waitn 4?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 14, 2013
She wriggkes teasingly. "Sure big boy." She whispered.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 12, 2013
She push for the thrid time a all black kit came out. I lick her back wards to ceep her warm. The next day Earthwisker shot up from having a bad dream. I calmed her down and changed the cob webs on her gash. Then gave the kit to her to feed. Still waiting for the med cat i helped as much as i knew how to help. She pushed again nothing. She wimmpered. I already lost some other kits. Alone as i was i ceap at it. Plus i had my kits to take care of and her so i was besy. I quikly got some food and water becuse Earthwisker looked hungery and so did my kits. After feeding them i got out the stick i had no idea what it was for becuse i was leader not med cat and did what i saw gentlerain (the med cat) do. Hope you like it. If you have not read the first part it is at awsome only result. Ps. I need to see wgat happenes. Moonlight
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
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 ...