Book Review: Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown

Brené Brown is a researcher with a strong social justice framework. For the past decade she has focused her research on shame and shame resiliency. She is also an engaging writer and has written several books. Daring Greatly was released in September of 2017 and includes all her research to-date, including a new area around how shame impacts men and relationships.

I love the way Brené Brown writes – she is an innate storyteller and it comes across clearly. In her writing Brené expertly weaves the details of her research with stories from her own life. We all experience shame. We all experience challenges in being open and vulnerable. We all have moments where we feel as if we are the only one in the world dealing with our personal struggle. By sharing her own stories, Brené is “stepping into the arena” with us to share in the common experience of these struggles.

Throughout this book Brené speaks to several aspects of ourselves. She writes about the difference between true vulnerability versus connecting through our woundedness, as well as how shame and vulnerability show up for each of us at work, in our relationship with ourselves, in moments of intimacy, and with our children.

As a researcher with a broad lens, she also speaks to the impact of both our larger society and our individual families. She does this not to offer excuses, but rather to highlight patterns we may unconsciously buy into and illuminate how those patterns impact each of us.

Whether you are looking to develop shame resiliency for your own healing, to connect more deeply with those you love, to show up more bravely and authentically at work, or to identify ways that you can parent to support your children in being more resilient and courageous in their own lives, this book has something for you.