Brené Brown is someone you have likely heard others talk about fanatically — especially if you’ve ever explored vulnerability, courage, or read a Brené Brown shame book — if you are not the fanatic yourself. I personally and professionally love Brené’s work on shame, relationships, and how to live and love with our whole person. Daring Greatly is one of the books that has brought Brené’s research to the general public, and you don't have to have a social sciences degree to understand, apply, or use in your daily life.
Why Daring Greatly Stands Out
If you’ve ever read The Gifts of Imperfection or Braving the Wilderness, you’ll notice how Daring Greatly builds on those ideas — inviting you to live, love, parent, and lead with a whole heart.
The book spends a lot of time prompting you to be real with yourself. As you read, you are challenged to look at all the parts of your life that you are trying to forget… or that you have worked hard to forget. With Brené’s help, you face failures, identity crises, shame, and unmet needs that you have as a human — with both boldness and kindness.
The Meaning of “Daring Greatly”
The phrase “daring greatly” comes from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, celebrating those who “fail while daring greatly” rather than avoiding the arena altogether. It’s a call to embrace vulnerability as a strength, even if it means your “face is marred by dust and sweat and blood” in the process.
As you work through Daring Greatly, you’ll explore topics like being intentional with yourself and others, and how to manage shame experiences that happen every single day. You’ll examine the ways you interact, the beliefs you’ve carried, and the habits that may keep you from connection. You’ll also see how choosing vulnerability—whether in love, parenting, leadership, or friendship — can transform how you live.
Reflections and Recommendations
While Daring Greatly is one of the most encouraging and helpful books I have ever read, it can be a challenge to apply in the most crucial moments. I first read this book in 2015, and the times where I have been challenged to be honest, to explore pain, and to allow other people into my failures and shame experiences have been the most difficult… and also the most healing.
I recommend Daring Greatly for people who are struggling with shame (shame tells us: “I am bad/broken/burdensome”) or who have difficulties letting people into their lives. Brené will make you laugh with her honesty, challenge your thoughts and beliefs to be real with yourself and others, and inspire practical, applicable steps to live with vulnerability and ultimately dare greatly.
This is not a book you read once and forget about. It will come back to mind in moments when you don’t feel great, or when you are tempted to accept shame from yourself or others. It’s the kind of book that stays with you — like a trusted friend reminding you to live, love, parent, and lead with courage.
“Vulnerability is not based on maturity and requires boundaries and trust. It’s not oversharing, it’s not purging, it’s not indiscriminate disclosure, it’s not celebrity-style social media information dumps. Vulnerability is about sharing our feelings and our experiences with people who have earned the right to hear them. Being vulnerable and open is mutual and an integral part of the trust-building process.” (Daring Greatly, p.45)
Explore More from Brené Brown
If you want to get a taste of Brené’s work before you purchase Daring Greatly, you can check out her famous TEDx Houston talk (2012), her Netflix special A Call to Courage, her podcast Unlocking Us, or explore her earlier books like The Gifts of Imperfection.
©Grayson Wallen 2021. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions Apply.
Disclaimer: Grayson’s credentials are noted in the footer below. This blog post is not intended to replace therapy or counseling services. While this post may represent psychoeducational content that brings clarity or helps you personally, Grayson encourages you to process your findings and concerns with your mental health counselor and/or other trusted people in your life. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about the content of this post, or want to start counseling please contact Grayson directly.
About the links in this post: The links in this post may be affiliate links, which means that Grayson may receive a commission based on you using the link that Grayson gives you. As an Amazon Associate Grayson can earn from qualifying purchases and costs you nothing.
One Last Note: The content of this post is Grayson's work unless otherwise noted/cited. The content of this blog post is not representative of the opinions of Grayson’s past or present places of employment, partners, board members, employees, contractors, or Grayson's Supervisor(s).
