Dare to Lead: Lean into your Fear

Over the years, I've followed, admired, and learned from a variety of powerful, bright, and courageous women who live their lives by design, share their truth, and inspire thousands of individuals on a daily basis.

One of those women is Brene Brown. Through her research, she's taught me about parenting, vulnerability, and empathy, and in her newest book — Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. — she discusses what it really means to be a courageous leader in today’s world. ⁣ ⁣ In her words, a leader is:

“Anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and has the courage to develop that potential.”

I have found her work on vulnerability, shame, and empathy to be life-changing — and this topic certainly fits the bill.

I just started reading Dare to Lead, and I'm already in LOVE.

If you're looking for a preview, head on over to listen to Marie Forleo's podcast (another amazing woman who I admire). Marie and Brene have a great back-and-forth dialogue about courage, leadership, and leaning into discomfort. I stopped, rewound, and paused numerous times so that I could take notes, re-listen, and engage with the content. Highly recommend! ⁣

Personally, although I've always been relatively comfortable going against the grain, I've never truly gotten over my fear of being judged.

So, perhaps I would consider myself to be courageous, within limits. I can put myself in a box, and at times, I restrain my thoughts or opinions not because I'm not confident in their backing, but rather because I'm afraid of what others will think.

In fact, I've had a passion and hunger to start this space and blog for over a year now, and I held myself back.

As Brene suggests, it’s not the FEAR ITSELF that impacts us (we all have that fear and it serves a useful purpose), it’s how we respond to the fear that holds us back. ⁣

⁣For me, the fear had me talking myself out of making a move.

Are you letting a fear response hold you back? ⁣

Stay courageous,

Stefanie ⁣ P.S. Brene is conducting a global read-along on LinkedIn where she responds to reader questions on a weekly basis and expands our understanding of the book. Join me!