Daring Greatly
Visionary
Heartwarming
Refreshing

Daring Greatly How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Brené Brown2012
The award-winning teacher and author of The Gifts of Imperfection encourages readers to embrace their vulnerabilities in order to live whole, courageous lives, explaining that traits typically regarded as character flaws and weaknesses are actually clear paths to engagement and meaningful connections.
Sign up to use

Reviews

Photo of Ani Velasquez
Ani Velasquez@aniruokay
5 stars
Jan 30, 2025

Right on, dude.

+5
Photo of Emily Burns
Emily Burns@emilymelissabee
5 stars
Jul 3, 2024

Very few books actually change the innerworkings of my brain. This one did. Highly recommend. :)

Photo of Hannah Yoon
Hannah Yoon@yoonreads
5 stars
Mar 23, 2024

It took me a while to start and finish the book because it's jam packed with so much insight. It's really a life changing book and probably one to read at least once a year.

Photo of Marcy Pursell
Marcy Pursell @mpursell21
4 stars
Feb 12, 2024

Another great audiobook by Brené Brown. Her research and stories make me think and reconsider my own shame and guilt, how I treat others, and how I can try to be vulnerable with others.

Photo of Lara Engle
Lara Engle@bzzlarabzz
4 stars
Aug 23, 2023

I tabbed so many passages in this book to revisit. In many ways, it allowed me to see how far I've come in my quest to let my guard down. It also gave me some guidance on how to continue my growth. One of the best things it gave me was some perspective on why people act the way they do when they're putting up their vulnerability shields. I think just seeing that will help make me more understanding.

Photo of Yeung Man Lung
Yeung Man Lung@yomaru_1999
3 stars
Jun 10, 2023

The book is mainly about vulnerability as the title obviously, but the author also share her opinion on shame and love and joy. The book basically tell you vulnerability is not weakness. Weakness is bad but vulnerability must be good. I would say the book is a good one but most of the things sound too common sense to me and therefore need no further investigation. I guess most of the people know what vulnerability is and how we can achieve it. The problem we don't know the correct way of desire, that's make people want vulnerability and don't want vulnerability or love and hate vulnerability at the same time. And the book didn't give me a lot of insight about it.

Photo of antonia maria wagner she/they
antonia maria wagner she/they@toniia
5 stars
May 21, 2023

Had to read it in bits cause the reflections were so in-depth and generous. Brené not just highlights the personal impact of "daring greatly" and being vulnerable but also how it is structurally influencing and harming us, e.g.: gender roles, within institutions, communities and work life. I could resonate a lot with her research and could take beautiful prompts away from this book.

Photo of Anthony
Anthony@amorriscode
4 stars
Mar 25, 2023

This book gave me a new viewpoint on where my reactiveness comes from. I learned more about shame and guilt than I even knew there was to learn. I was not looking for more examples, I found Brené's writing captivating. I think this book is insightful and fun to read.

Photo of Shona Tiger
Shona Tiger@shonatiger
3 stars
Jan 19, 2023

Not super accessible, but learnt some powerful things, and will definitely apply them to my life.

Photo of Anna Oeltjenbruns
Anna Oeltjenbruns@annaoel
4 stars
Jan 16, 2023

it definitely felt like a product of 2012 sometimes, but most of the sentiment was still relevant and stuck with me

Photo of Jules
Jules@mikaluvkitties
4 stars
Jan 4, 2023

Pretty straightforward read. Quick. Full of good information. Really illuminating in places.

+2
Photo of Genevieve Hayes
Genevieve Hayes@novella
4.5 stars
Jan 3, 2023

An impressive combination of wisdom and humour, Brené Brown offers pragmatic advice on relationships and self-growth through lived experiences and research.

+4
Photo of Dom Rupp
Dom Rupp@dommyrupp
5 stars
Aug 27, 2022

Again we don’t have a God of coincidences so here I go with this review. Honestly, when I first heard about Brene Brown I was knee deep in whatever made me feel safe, comfy, and hidden. Now, understanding what she says comes from a place that deeply resonates with me in my heart. Wholehearted people give themselves without reservations of what’s on the other side. Sure, they might have a few bumps and bruises but this way to live is way more beautiful than the sense of “safe, comfy and hidden.” The key to Wholehearted living is showing up, being vulnerable and understanding that your worthiness doesn’t dictate the situation. Her work comes from a Teddy Roosevelt quote that I would love to share with you all on here. Buckle up: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” “I can honestly say that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as believing that I’m standing on the outside of my life looking in and wondering what it would be like if I had the courage to show up and let myself be seen.” -Brene Brown

Photo of Cindy Lieberman
Cindy Lieberman@chicindy
5 stars
Mar 26, 2022

A well-researched book about the importance of being open and vulnerable in order to live our authentic selves, to lead, and to parent “wholehearted” children. This book was recommended by Melinda Gates in her excellent biography, “Moment of Lift,” and I’m glad I followed her advice. The truth is we are all acting in ways that hide or minimize shame, and we pass along these negative behaviors unconsciously. Dr Brown shares actionable examples from her interview subjects and from her own life to help us dare more greatly, connect with and inspire/support others, and live more fully.

Photo of Sarah Ryan
Sarah Ryan@sarahryan
5 stars
Mar 17, 2022

One of the best books I have ever read in terms of mental health, sense of self worth, life, love and parenting. I immediately listened to it a second time directly after finishing my first listen and got even more valuable insights out of it. Highly recommended

Photo of Josh Clement
Josh Clement@joshclement
4 stars
Mar 16, 2022

Brene wanted to start a national conversation about shame, and she did that with TED. This book dives into her theories she has developed after spending some time interviewing people about topics like shame, vulnerability and guilt. I got pretty tired of all the grand statements: "hope is a function of struggle." And strategies that didn't truly make sense "normalising discomfort." Overall, there's enough here to inspire some inner thinking. Basically, connection is really important, and to connect you need to be brave and lower your guard.

Photo of Bailey Sawka
Bailey Sawka@baileysawka
5 stars
Feb 24, 2022

I really enjoyed this book. I read it for a small group at my university and at first, I didn't know if I really wanted to read it, it seemed daunting to try to read a book like this amidst the classes I was taking and the homework I had. The idea of reading this book was very uncomfortable for me, I was not looking forward to reading a book about vulnerability because I struggle with being vulnerable, I put up walls and shut people out. I feel uncomfortable when I try to be vulnerable and I think that reading this book was very helpful and eye opening to these traits and what comes from them. I enjoyed reading this once I got over the initial shock of, "did I really just sign up for a book club about vulnerability, what was I thinking?" I love the ideas proposed in this book and I look forward to reading more of her works.

Photo of Nadine
Nadine @intlnadine
4 stars
Feb 18, 2022

A book that is well worth reading and revisiting. A lot of what she says about shame and guilt and the reasons and suppression of these emotions ran true. I found Chapter 4 to be of particular value where she talks about the vulnerability shields of Foreboding Joy, Perfectionism, and Numbing and the antidotes to each.

Photo of Amanda Valentin
Amanda Valentin@valentin07
5 stars
Jan 12, 2022

You know it is a good book when you have to pause several times so you do not cry while reading it. This was an amazing book and I learned so much! I felt like she was talking directly to me! Also whoever uses Harry Potter examples to explain points get an extra star or two in my book! Love it would highly recommend this book to everybody!

Photo of Emily S
Emily S@bibliochemist
5 stars
Nov 18, 2021

I just really think there’s something in here for everyone. Deserves a read!

Photo of Jordan Robinson
Jordan Robinson@jordalinereads
3 stars
Nov 17, 2021

I really liked this book. Reading about other peoples issues and problems with vulnerability reminded me of my own. I gave it three stars because I found my attention slipping away from the page a few times. It was a bit boring at times. Either way, I'd reccommend this to anyone who struggles with being true to who they are. This is my first self help book.

Photo of Paulina R.
Paulina R.@incryptia
5 stars
Nov 2, 2021

What an amazing book! I will definitely be re-reading it and going back to it in the future - it has given me so much hope and wholeheartedness when I really needed it. I hope more people read this marvelous book 😊

Photo of Millie Pellsäter
Millie Pellsäter@tjuppaduppdupp
5 stars
Oct 26, 2021

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, (so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. ) Theodore Roosevelt Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar Traveler, there is no path, the path must be forged as you walk

Photo of Alyssa Jacunski
Alyssa Jacunski@unread-shelves
3 stars
Sep 3, 2021

Here's a snapshot of my review. Check out my blog for the full posting! This book really opened my eyes to the importance of vulnerability and what we, as human beings, do to protect ourselves from it. If there's anything I've learned from Daring Greatly it's that putting yourself in a vulnerable position is a good thing - when done appropriately. Brown shares that "vulnerability is based on mutuality and requires boundaries and trust". Basically, vulnerability is not oversharing and purging information to anyone who will listen. It is sharing feelings and experiences with people who have earned the right to hear them (aka you trust them).