On Becoming One's Best Self

What I learned from Brené Brown's Dare to Lead Training

Hi, Friendly Readers,

Generally, I’ll limit my postings to the weekly publication of a new, original essay each Sunday. But occasionally, I’ll drop in a (somewhat) shorter, mid-week post about something I find interesting, important, or inspiring. This is my first such post.

In fall 2023, I was fortunate to participate in Dr. Brené Brown's Dare to Lead training. Dare to Lead is a leadership training program developed by Brown, based on her book of the same title. It focuses on courageous leadership and the power of vulnerability in the workplace.

Brown, a social worker who conducts research on shame, courage, and empathy, argues that the best leaders are not those who avoid difficult conversations or project an air of invulnerability, but those who embrace discomfort, take risks, and create environments of trust and belonging.

Brown’s research demonstrates that great leaders foster trust, authenticity, and a culture of belonging in their organizations. Dare to Lead training seeks to develop these abilities and other key components of effective leadership in its participants, including courage, openness to vulnerability, and empathy.

Sadly, these qualities are lacking in the leaders who presently run our country. And we, as a society, are suffering for it.

I believe embracing the principles taught in Dare to Lead will empower everyday people like you and me to better ourselves and those around us, creating the conditions for new, wiser, more inspiring leaders to arise—leaders who raise the bar and lift people up, not ones who heed ignoble instincts, generate fear and chaos, and seek domination over others.

This week, I’d like to share the closing reflection I wrote during the final session of my Dare to Lead experience. The moderators gave participants a series of writing prompts and asked each of us to create a “Learning to Rise Story” by responding thoughtfully to each prompt.

My responses, informed by the work and learning my cohort had done during the past six weeks, drew from a deep, philosophical, and emotional well that lay untapped within me. It was the first time I honestly confronted the self-imposed barriers to success I had erected, and the first time, in a long time, I saw a bright, meaningful future ahead of me. It was a profound experience.

My Learning to Rise Story felt so empowering and important that I turned it into a piece of artwork, overlaying the text on an AI-generated version of the image in my mind while reading the simple narrative. This picture now hangs on the wall in my office, not far from a wood carving adorned with my favorite Grateful Dead lyric, penned by the inimitable Robert Hunter: “Inspiration move me brightly.”

So, why, you may wonder, am I sharing this story with you now?

Our nation is in desperate need of wise, authentic, courageous, empathetic leaders who can steer us through these chaotic and frightening times. I believe fostering these crucial traits in ourselves and those around us—and encouraging their application to all parts of our lives—will create the conditions required for these new leaders to emerge, as well as bettering both our individual lives and our society.

This is my challenge to you. Help bring about this change.

Be courageous in your thoughts and actions. Challenge your fears. Lean into discomfort. Embrace vulnerability. Live authentically. Listen. Feel. Grow. Heal.

Dare to Lead with Love.

References:

Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead. Vermilion.

Brown, B. (2025). Dare to Lead Hub. Brenebrown.com. https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/

Grateful Dead (1977). Terrapin Station [Song]. On Terrapin Station. Grateful Dead.