In her book, "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts," best-selling author Brene Brown declares that leadership is not about the person's title, status, and power. Instead, it's about people who hold themselves accountable for sensing the potential in people and ideas, then cultivating the potential in both.
Over seven years, Brown interviewed leaders in organizations large and small, from small entrepreneurial start-ups to family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 CEOs and other corporate suite executives.
How, she asked, are brave, daring leaders produced today?
Her takeaways are somewhat of a departure from traditional perceptions of leadership.
Brown learned that daring leaders are very much aware of themselves because they know people.
Instead of forcefully managing interpersonal relationships, she writes, the resourceful leader operates from the heart without feeling threatened by his or her own imperfections. They're prepared to be vulnerable themselves.
Brave leaders are empathetic. They accept the other person's perspective with understanding.
They don't pretend to have all the answers. They are curious. They ask incisive questions, and they listen carefully.
They understand their power works best when it's shared with others, when it creates mutual trust, and when it's used to produce progress and accountability.
According to Brown, choosing courage over comfort is not easy, she writes, but for the daring leader, it's worth the effort.
This book is well worth the read, not only for aspiring executive leaders but for those in subordinate workplace leadership positions as well.
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 298
