"Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome."
Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston who has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Her 2010 TEDxHouston talk, 'The Power of Vulnerability,' became one of the most-watched TED talks of all time and launched a body of work — Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, The Gifts of Imperfection, and Dare to Lead — that has reshaped how millions think about courage, belonging, and wholehearted living.
Our in-depth summaries and reviews of his work
Brene Brown's three-part process for recovering from emotional falls — the Reckoning, the Rumble, and the Revolution — built on questioning the…
Read Summary →
Brené Brown reveals the ten guideposts for wholehearted living — from authenticity and self-compassion to play and meaningful work — grounded in…
Read Summary →
Brené Brown's research proves that vulnerability — not toughness — is the birthplace of connection, creativity, and courage. A transformative guide to…
Read Summary →
Brené Brown's research-backed guide to leading with vulnerability. BRAVING trust framework, armored vs daring leadership, and a 7-day courage-building plan.
Read Summary →In Daring Greatly, Brown reframes vulnerability as the birthplace of courage, creativity, and connection — not a flaw to be hidden but the price of admission to a meaningful life.
Rising Strong lays out a three-part process for recovering from failure and hurt: noticing the emotion (the reckoning), getting curious about the story you're telling yourself (the rumble), and integrating what you learn into how you live (the revolution).
The Gifts of Imperfection outlines ten guideposts — including cultivating authenticity, self-compassion, and rest — for engaging with life from a place of worthiness rather than proving or performing.
Dare to Lead applies Brown's research to organizations, arguing that clear, brave leadership requires the willingness to have hard conversations, sit with discomfort, and rumble with vulnerability rather than avoid it.
"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen."— Daring Greatly
"Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness."— Daring Greatly
"Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity."— Daring Greatly
"If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive."— Daring Greatly
Brene Brown's three-part process for recovering from emotional falls — the Reckoning, the Rumble, and the Revolution — built on questioning the stories your brain invents to protect you.
Brené Brown reveals the ten guideposts for wholehearted living — from authenticity and self-compassion to play and meaningful work — grounded in a decade of shame and vulnerability research.
Brené Brown's research proves that vulnerability — not toughness — is the birthplace of connection, creativity, and courage. A transformative guide to showing up and being seen.
Brené Brown's research-backed guide to leading with vulnerability. BRAVING trust framework, armored vs daring leadership, and a 7-day courage-building plan.
