By Brené Brown
Published 2018 by Random House
Synopsis: Leadership is not about titles, status and power over people. Leaders are people who hold themselves accountable for recognising the potential in people and ideas, and developing that potential. This is a book for everyone who is ready to choose courage over comfort, make a difference and lead. When we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don't see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it and work to align authority and accountability. We don't avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into the vulnerability that's necessary to do good work. But daring leadership in a culture that's defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty requires building courage skills, which are uniquely human. The irony is that we're choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the same time we're scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines can't do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection and courage to start.
My opinion: I read this book when I needed a brain-break during a quiet-ish month at work. It was engaging, clear and had several ideas and strategies that I could implement quickly. I took notes and downloaded resources as I read to use with my team. There wasn't a lot of research and data quoted, but the anecdotes were interesting and touching. Although there was nothing in it specific to education and teaching, the ideas were applicable to school teams and workplaces broadly.
Len Lantz on Psychiatry Resource says: 'I believe that this is a great book and one that I will continue to reference as I reflect on my strengths and work to improve my weaknesses as a leader.
I have a few minor concerns with the book. The back cover states that “Brené brings decades of research to bear,” however, the text is filled with stories and anecdotes, not peer-reviewed research. Having said that, Dr. Brown shares personal stories that are, at times, unflattering to illustrate key points, thereby modeling the courage and mindfulness that she encourages others to develop.'
Darren Cronshaw on Grounded Curiosity says: 'What I most appreciated about the book was its invitation to wholeness and growth. It invites me towards courageous, wholehearted leadership, and to leading out of self-awareness rather than hurt and fear. Brown concludes that one of the key things her research tells her is to courageously pursue that which gives joy and meaning:
“We fail the minute we let someone else define success for us. Like many of you, I spent too many years taking on projects and even positions, just to prove I could do it. I was driven by a definition of success that didn’t reflect who I am, what I want, or what brings me joy. It was simply accomplish-acquire-collapse-repeat. There was very little joy, very little meaning, and tons of exhaustion and resentment” (pp.271-72).'
Other books by this author (that I haven't read yet so make no guarantees about):
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience (2021)
Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution. (2015)
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (2012)
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