I’ll admit, this book sat on my shelf for some time before I felt the pull to read it. I wasn’t familiar with the Roosevelt speech from which the book’s title comes, and – like many, I suspect – I wasn’t particularly drawn to reading about vulnerability and shame. But then I turned to Chapter 1.
Right on the chapter divider page came words that gripped me:
“After doing this work for the past 12 years and watching scarcity ride roughshod over our families, organizations, and communities, I’d say the one thing we have in common is that we’re sick of feeling afraid. We want to dare greatly. We’re tired of the national conversation centering on ‘What should we fear?’ and ‘Who should we blame?’ We all want to be brave.”
Now this I could relate to!
Dr. Brown proceeds to debunk myths of vulnerability (namely that it’s a sign of weakness) and the paradox around our desire for others to be vulnerable but our disgust when we see it in ourselves. With her extensive research and experience, she allows readers to embrace vulnerability by showcasing it in a new way: “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.”
What I found particularly helpful was Dr. Brown’s ability to shed light on ways in which we hold ourselves to a different standard, reminding me that we are often our own worst enemies. “Sometimes when we dare to walk in the arena,” she shares, “the greatest critic we face is ourselves.” I appreciated the triggers to watch for as well as the practical suggestions for moving forward in work and life with empathy, compassion, and strength.
Additional highlights:
- Boundaries rule. We can only truly be compassionate and connected when we have clear, honoring boundaries in place.
- Courage takes practice. The more we act courageously, the more we courage we develop.
- It’s time to play big. By only “preaching to the choir” or doing what we think we can rather than what we’re truly capable of, we’re keeping ourselves small. Time to step out.
As an executive coach, throughout the book I found terrific questions and strategies to share with clients. Unexpectedly, I also discovered some excellent parenting tips! I love Dr. Brown’s suggestion to replace the question “Am I parenting the right way?” with “Am I the adult that I want my child to grow up to be?” Talk about perspective!
I highly recommend Daring Greatly both for its affirmation of who we are and its practical, research-based strategies for moving towards who we wish to become. I left the book ready to dare greatly!
What are your thoughts on Daring Greatly – both the book and the action? I’d love to hear your comments below, on Facebook, and via Twitter.
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action. Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.