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Synopsis

What does it take to be a brave and courageous leader? How can emotional responses be channeled effectively in the workplace?

In Dare to Lead, research professor Brené Brown - whose TED talk is one of the five most-watched - shares the learnable skills that underpin daring leadership, and shows how embracing vulnerability helps you to lead even when you aren't sure of the outcome.

Once you embrace the power of vulnerability, you can stop avoiding difficult conversations and being afraid to accept new ideas and start trusting and building resilience.

Top 20 insights

  1. Research professor Brené Brown interviewed hundreds of global C-level leaders over a twenty-year period. Her research shows that there are four learnable skills that underpin daring leadership: embracing vulnerability, living core values, braving trust, and developing resilience.
  2. A daring leader is someone who takes up the responsibility to find the potential in people, and who is committed to develop that potential.
  3. Brown's TED talk, "The Power of Vulnerability," is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks in the world. She defines embracing vulnerability as having the courage to show up when you can't be sure of the outcome.
  4. In the words of Minouche Shafik, Director of the London School of Economics: "In the past, jobs were about muscles, now they're about brains, but in the future they'll be about the heart."
  5. Trust holds teams and organizations together. Companies with high levels of trust beat the average annualized returns of the S&P500 by a factor of three.
  6. Doug R. Conant says that inspiring trust was his priority in his ten-year turnaround of Campbell Soup Company: "[T]rust is the one thing that changes everything. It's not a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. Without it, every part of your organization can fall, literally, into disrepair."
  7. There are seven behaviors that build trust over time: boundaries, reliability, accountability, vault, integrity, nonjudgement, and generosity, i.e., braving.
  8. Learning resilience must come first. Leaders invariably try to teach resilience skills to their teams after there's been a setback or failure. But that's like trying to teach a skydiver how to land after they've hit the ground or even as they're in freefall.
  9. Brown's team asked a thousand leaders to list behaviors that earn team-members positive recognition. The most common answer: asking for help.
  10. Google's five-year study of highly productive teams found that the most important dynamic that set successful teams apart was psychological safety—team members feeling safe to take risks and be vulnerable in front of each other.
  11. Research shows that leaders must either invest time attending to fears and feelings, or spend more time trying to manage unproductive and ineffective behavior. If a manager is addressing the same problematic behaviors over and over, s/he may need to dig deeper into the thinking and feeling driving those behaviors.
  12. One way to cultivate commitment and a shared organizational purpose is to adopt the TASC approach to projects and strategies: Task, Authority, Success, Checklist.
  13. Shame is a universal emotion that we all try to avoid. In the workplace shame manifests as favoritism, gossiping, harassment, perfectionism, and cover-ups. The opposite of shame is empathy, connecting to the emotions that underpin someone's experience.
  14. Curiosity about different views and how they may come into conflict—asking questions and reaching out for more information—is essential for building daring leadership. A study in Neuron suggests that brain chemistry changes when we become curious, helping us to better learn and retain information.
  15. Daring leadership needs clear values that the leader lives by every day. Melinda Gates says that tying tactics to core values and then explaining them to others makes a leader better able to question their own assumptions.
  16. The key to operationalizing core values across the company or workplace is to be very clear on the skills that undergird those values. Set clear expectations for everyone to create a shared language and a well-defined culture.
  17. Brown's research shows that leaders who are trained in resilience are more likely to embrace courageous behaviors, because they know how to get back up after a fall. People who don't have the skills to get back up are less likely to risk falling.
  18. Teaching how to embrace failure as a learning opportunity is especially important today, when millennials make up 35% of the American workforce.
  19. The most effective strategy for recognizing an emotion is to practice what soldiers call Tactical Breathing.
  20. As a leader, it's important to recognize that people will make up their own stories during a time of upheaval or stress, and without data they will start with their own fears and insecurities. The daring leader gives people as much data and facts as possible so that their stories are more complete.

Summary

To be a daring leader, one who is not afraid of change and new challenges, you must embrace vulnerability, recognizing it not as a form of weakness but as a willingness to acknowledge when you don't know all the answers. Instead of protecting the ego by avoiding difficult situations, embrace vulnerability by encouraging empathy, curiosity, and shared purpose. Operationalize the organization's core values; and, build trust by setting clear boundaries and being reliable and generous. Build resilience by recognizing when a situation or emotion has a hold over you; learn how to recognize and accept the emotion and create a story that you can control.

Questions and answers

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'Dare to Lead' offers several strategies for building resilience in leadership roles. One of the key strategies is embracing vulnerability. This involves acknowledging when you don't have all the answers and being open to new challenges. It also involves encouraging empathy, curiosity, and shared purpose within your team. Another strategy is operationalizing the organization's core values. This means making sure that these values are at the heart of all decision-making processes. Building trust is also crucial. This can be achieved by setting clear boundaries and being reliable and generous. Finally, resilience can be built by recognizing when a situation or emotion has a hold over you. It's important to learn how to recognize and accept these emotions and create a story that you can control.

Brené Brown's 'Dare to Lead' proposes building trust within a team or organization by embracing vulnerability and acknowledging when you don't have all the answers. This approach encourages empathy, curiosity, and shared purpose. Trust is also built by operationalizing the organization's core values, setting clear boundaries, and being reliable and generous. Additionally, resilience is built by recognizing when a situation or emotion has a hold over you, learning how to recognize and accept the emotion, and creating a story that you can control.

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Embrace vulnerability

Research professor Brené Brown and her team have amassed twenty years of interview data with global C-level leaders on the future of leadership, asking what it takes to be a daring leader. These senior leaders identified a common set of problems that get in the way of developing their organizations: avoiding difficult conversations, being afraid to accept new ideas, and not enough trust or accountability. The issue is not who people are, but how they behave in difficult situations; in particular, how they respond to fear.

Questions and answers

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The ideas presented in 'Dare to Lead' can be implemented in real-world leadership scenarios by embracing vulnerability, fostering trust, and promoting accountability. Leaders should not shy away from difficult conversations and should be open to new ideas. They should also create an environment where employees feel safe to take risks and make mistakes. This can be achieved by demonstrating empathy, practicing active listening, and providing constructive feedback. Moreover, leaders should hold themselves and their team members accountable for their actions and decisions.

In 'Dare to Lead', Brené Brown identifies several key problems faced by C-level leaders. These include avoiding difficult conversations, being afraid to accept new ideas, and a lack of trust or accountability. The broader implications of these issues are that they hinder the development of organizations. For instance, avoiding difficult conversations can lead to unresolved conflicts or misunderstandings. Fear of accepting new ideas can stifle innovation and growth. Lack of trust or accountability can create a toxic work environment where employees feel undervalued and unappreciated.

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Based on all this interview data, the author concludes that courage is a collection of four skill sets, which are all teachable and observable: embracing vulnerability, living into our values, braving trust, and developing resilience. Brown's team has tested this approach to daring leadership in more than 50 organizations from the Gates Foundation to Shell. They concluded that the core skill needed for daring leadership is the willingness and ability to embrace vulnerability—without this, the other three skills are impossible to practice.

Questions and answers

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Implementing Brené Brown's daring leadership principles can pose several challenges. Firstly, embracing vulnerability can be difficult in a professional setting where showing weakness is often discouraged. Secondly, living into our values requires a clear understanding and alignment of personal and organizational values, which can be complex to achieve. Thirdly, braving trust involves risk and can be hard in environments where trust has been broken. Lastly, developing resilience requires time and effort, and can be challenging in high-stress situations. Overcoming these challenges involves fostering a supportive and open culture, providing training and resources to understand and implement these principles, and leading by example.

Some examples of organizations that have successfully implemented Brené Brown's approach to daring leadership include the Gates Foundation and Shell. These organizations have embraced the four skill sets of daring leadership: embracing vulnerability, living into our values, braving trust, and developing resilience.

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Brown's TED talk, "The Power of Vulnerability," is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks in the world. Brown says that embracing vulnerability means having the courage to show up when you can't be sure of the outcome. No-one can get to courage without dealing with vulnerability.

What is vulnerability?

Brown defines vulnerability as the emotion we experience during times of risk, uncertainty, and exposure. It is not a question of winning or losing but of showing up when you don't know the outcome. Vulnerability does not mean weakness and it isn't something we can avoid—as a species, we are hardwired to want to connect. Trust and vulnerability grow together, over time. Marriage expert John Gottman PhD has found that trust is "built in very small moments." If we avoid connection with others and shield ourselves from feedback, we stop growing. And, if we define ourselves by what others think of us, it's hard to be brave. But, if we stop caring about what anyone thinks, we're too locked away in our armor to make authentic connections.

Questions and answers

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Brené Brown's 'Dare to Lead' has significantly influenced corporate strategies and business models by emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in leadership. The book encourages leaders to embrace vulnerability, risk, and uncertainty, rather than avoiding them. This approach fosters trust and connection within teams, which are crucial for a successful and innovative business environment. Many corporations have incorporated these principles into their leadership training and organizational culture, leading to more open communication, increased employee engagement, and improved problem-solving capabilities.

In 'Dare to Lead', Brené Brown presents several innovative ideas about vulnerability and leadership. She defines vulnerability as the emotion we experience during times of risk, uncertainty, and exposure. It's not about winning or losing, but about showing up when the outcome is uncertain. She emphasizes that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness and it's something we can't avoid as we are hardwired to connect with others. Trust and vulnerability grow together, and avoiding connection and feedback hinders our growth. She also warns against defining ourselves by what others think of us, as it makes it hard to be brave. On the other hand, if we stop caring about what anyone thinks, we become too isolated to make authentic connections.

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Google conducted a five-year study of highly productive teams, Project Aristotle, and found that the most important dynamic that set successful teams apart was psychological safety—team members feeling safe to take risks and be vulnerable in front of each other. Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson coined the term "Psychological Safety": it is not a cozy situation where everyone is close friends, but rather an environment where people believe that if they make a mistake they won't be judged or punished for it.

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An important component of vulnerability is setting boundaries, defining what is and is not OK. A leader who shares without understanding their role and its professional boundaries is just venting, purging, or making a play for sympathy. Similarly, we can set boundaries on tough conversations: "It's OK to be angry right now, it's not OK to yell" or, "It's OK to be passionate about this, it's not OK to interrupt or put people down."

Questions and answers

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The principles discussed in Dare to Lead can be applied in real-world scenarios in various ways. For instance, the concept of vulnerability can be applied by leaders setting clear boundaries and defining what is and is not acceptable behavior in a professional setting. This can help create a safe and respectful work environment. Similarly, the principle of having tough conversations can be applied by encouraging open and respectful communication, even when discussing difficult topics. It's important for leaders to model these behaviors to foster a culture of daring leadership.

Vulnerability plays a crucial role in daring leadership. It involves the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. It's not about winning or losing, but about courage. In a professional setting, vulnerability is not about oversharing, but about sharing on purpose. It's about having the courage to take a risk, expose oneself to potential failure or criticism, and still move forward. It's about setting boundaries and understanding the role and its professional boundaries. It's about having tough conversations, expressing anger or passion without resorting to yelling, interrupting, or putting people down.

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Research shows that leaders must either invest time attending to fears and feelings, or spend even more time trying to manage unproductive and ineffective behavior. If a manager is addressing the same problematic behaviors over and over, s/he may need to dig deeper to the thinking and feeling driving those behaviors. A leader cannot, and should not, avoid the difficult conversations.

Questions and answers

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A startup leader can utilize the principles of daring leadership by investing time in understanding the fears and feelings of their team members. This can help in addressing problematic behaviors and driving them towards more productive and efficient work. Daring leadership also involves not avoiding difficult conversations and addressing issues head-on. This can foster a more open and transparent work environment, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.

While the book "Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown doesn't provide specific examples of leaders who have successfully addressed problematic behaviors by understanding the underlying emotions and thoughts, it emphasizes the importance of this approach. The book suggests that leaders should invest time in understanding the fears and feelings of their team members to prevent unproductive and ineffective behavior. This involves having difficult conversations and digging deeper to understand the thinking and feeling driving those behaviors. Some leaders who are known for their emotional intelligence include Howard Schultz of Starbucks and Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo.

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Daring vs armored leadership

Minouche Shafik, Director of the London School of Economics, says: "In the past, jobs were about muscles, now they're about brains, but in the future they'll be about the heart."

Many organization and leaders still believe that if the connection between the heart (vulnerability and other emotions) and work is cut, then people will be more productive and easier to manage. But, imprisoning the heart kills courage. And, when people are cut off from their emotions, they lose control over their decision making and behavior.

Questions and answers

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A startup can utilize the concepts of emotional vulnerability and courage presented in Dare to Lead to foster growth and effective leadership by encouraging open communication and emotional honesty within the team. This can lead to a more trusting and collaborative environment, which is crucial for a startup's growth. Leaders can model vulnerability by admitting when they don't have all the answers and seeking input from their team. This can foster a culture of courage where team members feel empowered to take risks and innovate. Additionally, acknowledging and addressing emotions in the workplace can lead to better decision making and behavior, as individuals who are in touch with their emotions are better able to regulate their actions.

The research findings in 'Dare to Lead' suggest that suppressing emotions can have a detrimental impact on decision making and behavior. When individuals are cut off from their emotions, they lose control over their decision-making processes and behavior. This is because emotions play a crucial role in our cognitive processes, influencing how we perceive and respond to situations. Suppressing emotions can lead to a lack of empathy, which is essential for understanding and responding to others' needs and perspectives. It can also result in poor decision making as individuals may not fully consider the emotional aspects and implications of their decisions. Furthermore, suppressing emotions can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which can further impair decision making and behavior.

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People reach for the emotional armor when they think there's a risk they may not be liked or respected because they are wrong or don't have all the answers. It's a way to protect the ego. Armored leadership drives perfectionism and fosters fear of failure; it emphasizes being right, using power over others, and control. It tolerates discrimination and a "fitting in" culture, uses criticism as self-protection, and is all about collecting gold stars. Armored leaders try to fill a gap in their self-worth by using their power.

Questions and answers

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Transitioning from armored leadership to daring leadership involves embracing vulnerability, fostering a culture of courage and empathy, and encouraging learning from failures. It requires leaders to shift from using power over others to empowering others, from fostering a culture of fitting in to one of belonging, and from perfectionism to embracing imperfections. It also involves replacing criticism with self-awareness and self-love, and shifting from collecting gold stars to collecting learnings and experiences.

Leaders can overcome the fear of failure and the need to always be right by embracing vulnerability and practicing self-compassion. They should understand that making mistakes is a part of the learning process and it's okay not to know everything. They should foster a culture of openness and learning in their teams, where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn and grow rather than failures. They should also practice self-awareness, acknowledging their weaknesses and working on them, rather than trying to appear perfect. Lastly, they should seek feedback and be open to criticism, using it as a tool for improvement rather than seeing it as a threat.

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Daring leadership encourages and models healthy striving, empathy, and self-compassion; it emphasizes being a learner, using power with others, and cultivating shared purpose. It cultivates a culture of belonging and inclusivity, of making contributions and taking risks, and is all about giving gold stars. Daring leaders are curious about their own blind spots and are committed to helping others find their own blind spots in supportive ways.

Questions and answers

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Daring leaders can use their power with others to cultivate a shared purpose by encouraging and modeling healthy striving, empathy, and self-compassion. They emphasize being a learner and making contributions. They cultivate a culture of belonging and inclusivity, and encourage taking risks. They are curious about their own blind spots and are committed to helping others find their own blind spots in supportive ways.

The principles of daring leadership can be applied to foster a culture of belonging and inclusivity by encouraging and modeling healthy striving, empathy, and self-compassion. Daring leaders emphasize being a learner and using power with others, not over them. They cultivate a shared purpose and encourage contributions and risk-taking. They are curious about their own blind spots and are committed to helping others find their own blind spots in supportive ways. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity as everyone feels valued and part of the team.

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One way to cultivate commitment and a shared purpose is to adopt the TASC approach to projects and strategies:

T: Who owns the Task?

A: Do they have the Authority to be held accountable?

S: Are they set up for Success (time, clarity, resources)?

C: Is there a Checklist of what needs to happen to accomplish the task?

Empathy vs shame

Building emotional armor around our ego does not protect us from feeling unworthy, disconnected, or isolated—It in fact guarantees all of those feelings. One emotion we all try to avoid is shame. Yet it is also a universal experience, the awful feeling that we are flawed and unworthy of love and connection. Shame says, "You are bad." It is not the same as guilt, which says "You did something bad;" or humiliation, which says "They deserve to suffer;" or embarrassment, which is fleeting and even, eventually, funny.

Questions and answers

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In Brené Brown's book 'Dare to Lead', she suggests several strategies to overcome feelings of unworthiness and disconnection in the workplace. One of the key strategies is to embrace vulnerability and allow ourselves to be seen, truly seen. This involves acknowledging our emotions, including shame, and understanding that these feelings are universal and not indicative of our worth. Another strategy is to practice empathy and create a culture of belonging in the workplace. This can be achieved by fostering open communication, promoting inclusivity, and encouraging team members to support and understand each other's experiences. Lastly, Brown emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and self-care in maintaining our emotional health and resilience.

Understanding and managing emotions like shame and guilt can improve leadership skills by fostering empathy, self-awareness, and resilience. Brené Brown's research suggests that leaders who acknowledge and address these emotions can create a more open and honest work environment. This can lead to improved communication, better decision-making, and stronger relationships within the team. Furthermore, by dealing with these emotions, leaders can also set an example for their team members, promoting a culture of emotional intelligence and resilience.

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In Brown's interviews a surprisingly large 85% of respondents recalled a childhood incident so shaming that it changed how they thought about themselves. As adults, one of the most common scenarios was the shame people felt when they were fired. In the workplace shame shows up as favoritism, gossiping, harassment, perfectionism, and cover-ups.

Questions and answers

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Brené Brown's 'Dare to Lead' has significantly influenced corporate strategies in handling workplace issues like favoritism, gossiping, and harassment. The book emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in leadership. It encourages leaders to create a culture of openness and accountability, where employees feel safe to express their concerns without fear of retaliation. This approach helps in addressing issues like favoritism and gossiping, as it promotes transparency and fairness. In terms of harassment, the book's emphasis on empathy and respect fosters a workplace environment that discourages such behavior.

Dare to Lead" provides insights on managing emotional responses in the workplace by addressing the issue of shame. The book reveals that a significant number of people carry shame from childhood incidents, which can affect their self-perception and behavior in the workplace. This shame can manifest in various ways, such as favoritism, gossiping, harassment, perfectionism, and cover-ups. By recognizing and addressing these behaviors, leaders can create a healthier and more productive work environment.

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The opposite of experiencing shame is experiencing empathy. We cannot resist shame, but we can build resilience to it by cultivating empathy. Whereas sympathy is feeling for someone, empathy is feeling with someone, connecting to the emotions that underpin their experience. Empathy is choosing to connect with others by seeing the world as they see it, being nonjudgmental, and making it clear that you understand the other person's feelings. It starts with being able to name and talk about our own feelings.

Questions and answers

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A startup can use the principles of empathy and emotional resilience discussed in Dare to Lead to foster a more connected and understanding work environment by cultivating a culture of empathy. This involves encouraging employees to connect with each other's emotions and experiences, being nonjudgmental, and promoting open communication about feelings. This can help build resilience to shame and foster a more understanding and connected work environment. Additionally, leaders can model these behaviors to set the tone for the entire organization.

A leader in a traditional business sector like retail can apply the concept of empathy to improve their leadership skills by connecting with their employees and customers on a deeper level. This involves understanding their perspectives, being nonjudgmental, and acknowledging their feelings. By doing so, the leader can build a stronger relationship with their team and customers, which can lead to increased loyalty and productivity. Furthermore, by being empathetic, the leader can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment, which can foster innovation and creativity.

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Empathy is something we can get better at, with practice. It starts with recognizing what shame feels like and what triggers it; followed by reaching out to others rather than hiding away. It also means picking up on the ways people encourage shame in others: using phrases like, "You're so sensitive," or "It's all in your head."

Questions and answers

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'Dare to Lead' challenges the traditional understanding of emotional responses in the workplace by advocating for empathy and vulnerability. It suggests that these are not weaknesses but rather essential skills for daring leadership. The book encourages recognizing and understanding feelings of shame and reaching out to others instead of hiding away. It also highlights the importance of being aware of how certain phrases can encourage shame in others.

The book "Dare to Lead" suggests that we can improve our empathy skills in a leadership role by practicing empathy. This starts with recognizing what shame feels like and what triggers it. Then, it involves reaching out to others rather than hiding away. It also means being aware of the ways people encourage shame in others, such as using phrases like, "You're so sensitive," or "It's all in your head."

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Curiosity and courage

Curiosity is correlated with creativity, improved learning, and problem solving. A study in the October 22, 2014 issue of the journal Neuron suggests that brain chemistry changes when we become curious, helping us to better learn and retain information. Curiosity is also essential for building daring leadership—being curious about different views and how they may come into conflict, asking questions, and reaching out for more information.

Questions and answers

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The concept of curiosity, as presented in "Dare to Lead", has influenced corporate strategies and business models in several ways. Firstly, it has encouraged organizations to foster a culture of curiosity, which is linked to creativity, improved learning, and problem-solving. This can lead to innovative ideas and solutions, driving business growth and competitiveness. Secondly, curiosity is essential for daring leadership. Leaders who are curious about different views and conflicts, and who ask questions and seek more information, can make more informed decisions and effectively manage diverse teams. This can enhance organizational performance and resilience.

A small business can utilize the concept of curiosity to enhance creativity and problem-solving by fostering a culture of inquiry and openness. Encourage team members to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and seek out new information. This can lead to innovative solutions and improved learning. Curiosity can also help in understanding and resolving conflicts, as it promotes empathy and understanding of different views. Moreover, curiosity can lead to better retention of information, which can be beneficial in decision-making processes.

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Values

Daring leadership means having the courage to check our ego-armor at the door and being curious enough to engage in tough conversations. It also means having clear values, not just sound bites but values that the leader actually lives with every day.

Living into our values means making sure our intentions, words, and behaviors align with those beliefs. Step one in learning how to do this is to name the two values that you hold most important both at work and at home—things like accountability, belonging, diversity, fairness, joy, patience, service, or truth. Come up with a list of values and hone it down to the two that really resonate. Then, define the three or four behaviors that support those core values, and the three or four that don't.

Questions and answers

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Leaders might face several challenges when trying to live into their values. These include resistance from team members, difficulty in aligning personal values with organizational values, and the challenge of maintaining consistency in actions. To overcome these, leaders can communicate their values clearly to their team, ensure they are modeling these values in their behavior, and create a supportive environment that encourages everyone to uphold these values. Regular self-reflection and seeking feedback can also help leaders stay true to their values.

In a leadership role, the concept of aligning intentions, words, and behaviors with personal values can be implemented by first identifying the two most important values both at work and at home. These could be values like accountability, belonging, diversity, fairness, joy, patience, service, or truth. Once these core values are identified, define the three or four behaviors that support these values, and also identify the behaviors that do not support these values. This process helps in aligning one's intentions, words, and behaviors with personal values, thereby promoting authentic and value-driven leadership.

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Feedback

One of the hardest things to do in the workplace is to stay aligned with our values when giving or receiving feedback. Being in the right frame of mind to give someone feedback requires: being willing to sit next to them, not across from them; accepting the need to listen and ask questions; and acknowledging their strengths and thanking them for their efforts, not just listing their mistakes. Giving feedback means holding accountable without shaming or blaming and talking about how resolving challenges will lead to growth.

Questions and answers

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In 'Dare to Lead', Brené Brown suggests that resolving challenges in the workplace can lead to growth by promoting a culture of feedback. This involves being willing to sit next to someone, not across from them, and accepting the need to listen and ask questions. It also involves acknowledging their strengths and thanking them for their efforts, not just listing their mistakes. Giving feedback means holding accountable without shaming or blaming. This approach fosters a positive environment where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth and improvement.

The principles of daring leadership from Dare to Lead can be applied in a traditional business environment in several ways. Firstly, leaders can foster a culture of openness and vulnerability, encouraging employees to take risks and learn from their mistakes rather than fearing failure. Secondly, leaders can prioritize empathy and understanding, creating a supportive environment where employees feel valued and heard. Lastly, leaders can model these behaviors themselves, demonstrating their commitment to these principles and inspiring others to do the same.

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Receiving feedback is tough because we cannot control the skill of the person giving it or know what their intentions really are. Tactics that can help include reminding yourself that you are brave enough to listen; that you can take what is valuable here and leave the rest; and that this is the path to mastery. Your ultimate aim is to listen, to integrate the feedback, and to reflect it back with accountability.

Questions and answers

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A leader in a traditional sector like manufacturing or retail can apply the feedback receiving tactics discussed in the book "Dare to Lead" by creating an environment that encourages open communication and feedback. They can remind themselves that they are brave enough to listen to feedback, regardless of its nature. They can take what is valuable from the feedback and leave the rest, using it as a path to mastery. The ultimate aim should be to listen, integrate the feedback, and reflect it back with accountability. This can lead to continuous improvement and a more effective leadership style.

In "Dare to Lead", Brené Brown emphasizes the importance of feedback in leadership. One key example is the concept of "rumbling with vulnerability", which involves leaders opening themselves up to feedback, even if it's uncomfortable or challenging. This is demonstrated by the idea of reminding oneself that they are brave enough to listen to feedback, and that they can take what is valuable and leave the rest. Another example is the practice of "Living into our Values", where leaders are encouraged to reflect on the feedback received and integrate it into their actions and behaviors, demonstrating accountability.

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Operationalized values

When values are operationalized across the whole company, they drive productive decision-making; without those values, either paralysis or impulsive decision-making can set in. The key to operationalizing core values across the company or workplace is to be very clear on the skills that undergird those values. Setting clear expectations for everyone will help to create a shared language and a well-defined culture.

Questions and answers

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A small business can use the framework of setting clear expectations and defining skills to undergird values for growth by operationalizing these values across the entire company. This involves being clear on the skills that support these values. By setting clear expectations for everyone, a shared language and a well-defined culture can be created. This drives productive decision-making and prevents paralysis or impulsive decision-making, thereby fostering growth.

Operationalizing core values challenges existing leadership paradigms by shifting the focus from individual decision-making to a collective, value-driven approach. Traditional leadership often relies on the leader's personal judgment, which can lead to inconsistent or impulsive decisions. However, when core values are operationalized, they provide a clear framework for decision-making, promoting consistency and reducing impulsivity. This approach also fosters a shared language and culture, enhancing team cohesion and collaboration. It's a shift from a leader-centric model to a value-centric model.

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Melinda Gates notes that people can get attached to specific tactics but "when you're forced to tie those tactics to core values and then explain them to others, you are better able to question your own assumptions and help others question theirs."

The importance of trust

Trust is the glue that holds teams and organizations together. Doug R. Conant wrote a Harvard Business Review article describing how inspiring trust was his number one mission in his ten-year turnaround of Campbell Soup Company. He noted that companies with high levels of trust beat the average annualized returns of the S&P500 by a factor of three. "[T]rust is the one thing that changes everything. It's not a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. Without it, every part of your organization can fall, literally, into disrepair."

Questions and answers

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Doug R. Conant's Harvard Business Review article emphasizes the crucial role of trust in organizational success. He argues that trust is the glue that holds teams and organizations together. During his tenure at Campbell Soup Company, inspiring trust was his primary mission. He observed that companies with high levels of trust significantly outperformed the average annualized returns of the S&P500. Trust is not just a nice-to-have, but a must-have. Without it, every part of an organization can fall into disrepair.

The principles of daring leadership, such as building trust, can be applied to traditional sectors like manufacturing or retail in several ways. Firstly, leaders can foster a culture of openness and honesty, where employees feel safe to voice their opinions and concerns. This can be achieved by encouraging communication and feedback. Secondly, leaders can demonstrate their trustworthiness by being transparent about their decisions and actions. This includes admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for them. Lastly, trust can be built by consistently delivering on promises and meeting expectations. This shows employees that they can rely on their leaders, which in turn, boosts their confidence and productivity.

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Trust is essential in any organization, and we all want to be thought trustworthy. But because talking about trust can be tough, most leaders shy away from having conversations about it.

"Braving"

There are seven behaviors that make up trust, summarized by the acronym BRAVING. Each of these behaviors leads to small moments that, stacked up over time, build trust.

  1. Boundaries: Respect them and ask if it's not clear what they are.
  2. Reliability: Do what you say you will do and don't over-promise.
  3. Accountability: Own your mistakes.
  4. Vault: Don't share information or confidences that are not yours to share.
  5. Integrity: Choose courage over comfort; choose what's right over what's easy, fun, or fast.
  6. Non-judgement: Ask for help without judgement.
  7. Generosity: Extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of others.

Resilience

Leaders invariably try to teach resilience skills to their teams after there's been a setback or failure. That's like trying to teach a skydiver how to land after they've hit the ground or even as they're in freefall. Brown's research shows that leaders who are trained in resilience are more likely to embrace courageous behaviors, because they know how to get back up after a fall. People who don't have the skills to get back up are less likely to risk falling. Teaching how to embrace failure as a learning opportunity is especially important today, when millennials make up 35% of the American workforce.

Questions and answers

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The concepts of embracing failure as a learning opportunity can be implemented in real-world scenarios by fostering a culture of resilience and courage. Leaders can train their teams in resilience, teaching them how to bounce back from setbacks or failures. This involves acknowledging that failure is a part of the process and not a reflection of one's abilities. It's also important to encourage risk-taking and innovation, as these can lead to potential failures but also significant growth and success. Regularly discussing and analyzing failures as a team can also help to normalize failure and promote learning from it.

Leaders might face several obstacles when trying to teach resilience. One of the main challenges is timing; often, resilience training is initiated after a setback or failure, which is not the most effective approach. Another obstacle is the fear of failure; individuals who lack resilience skills may be less likely to take risks due to the fear of falling. To overcome these obstacles, leaders should proactively train their teams in resilience, teaching them to view failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. This can encourage a more risk-taking and resilient workforce.

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In her work, Brown has found that leaders who demonstrate the highest level of resilience use sentences such as, "The story I'm telling myself..." or "I make up that ..." It's a way of walking into our story and owning it. When you own your story like this, you get to write the ending.

Reckoning

To learn resilience, start by recognizing when a situation or emotion has its hooks in you. A lot of the time, we end up offloading our emotions onto others, getting angry instead of acknowledging hurt, pretending everything is fine when it really isn't, or hiding away the pain instead of facing it.

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The book "Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown has significantly influenced corporate strategies in managing emotional responses in the workplace. It emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and resilience in leadership. The book encourages leaders to recognize and address their emotions rather than offloading them onto others. This approach promotes a healthier work environment and leads to more effective communication, better decision-making, and improved relationships within the team. It also fosters a culture of empathy and understanding, which can lead to increased employee satisfaction and productivity.

The concept of resilience, as discussed in Dare to Lead, can be implemented in real-world leadership scenarios by recognizing and managing emotions effectively. Leaders can practice resilience by acknowledging their feelings instead of offloading them onto others or pretending everything is fine when it's not. They should face their pain and challenges head-on, rather than hiding away from them. This approach helps in building a resilient mindset that is crucial for daring leadership.

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The most effective strategy for recognizing an emotion is something that soldiers call Tactical Breathing: inhale deeply through the nose for a count of four; hold the breath for another count of four; exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of four; and hold the empty breath for a final count of four. Tracing a square on your desk while doing each of the four stages can also help to calm you down and re-center when in the grip of a strong emotion.

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Tactical Breathing, originally a technique used by soldiers to manage stress and maintain composure, can be innovatively applied in leadership in several ways. Firstly, it can be used to manage personal stress and anxiety during high-pressure situations, enabling leaders to make clear and rational decisions. Secondly, it can be used as a tool to promote mindfulness and presence, allowing leaders to be fully engaged and attentive during important meetings or discussions. Lastly, leaders can teach this technique to their team members as a part of stress management training, promoting a healthier and more productive work environment.

Leaders might face several challenges when trying to implement Tactical Breathing. Firstly, there might be resistance from team members who are skeptical about its effectiveness. To overcome this, leaders can share scientific research and success stories about the benefits of Tactical Breathing. Secondly, it might be difficult to practice regularly due to a busy schedule. Leaders can address this by incorporating Tactical Breathing into daily routines or meetings. Lastly, some people might find it hard to perform Tactical Breathing correctly. Leaders can provide clear instructions and demonstrations to ensure everyone understands the technique.

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First story

In the absence of data, we always make up stories. And, when it comes to our emotions, the first story we make up, the one that's based on very little real data, is filled with all of our fears and insecurities.

At a personal level, start by writing down a first story—"She looked at me like that in the meeting because she doesn't trust me and I'm going to get kicked off this project"—then ask if this story actually makes sense. What else do you need to know about the situation, the people in it, and your own role in the story. Now you can pinpoint what you are really feeling and why and figure out how to deal with it.

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The strategies presented in Dare to Lead can significantly influence corporate leadership models. The book emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in leadership. It encourages leaders to embrace their imperfections, to be brave enough to take risks, and to foster a culture of empathy and understanding within their teams. This approach can lead to a more open, honest, and collaborative corporate environment, which can boost productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall business success.

Brené Brown's 'Dare to Lead' challenges traditional leadership paradigms by advocating for vulnerability, courage, and empathy in leadership. Instead of the conventional top-down, authoritative approach, Brown encourages leaders to embrace their imperfections, to listen with empathy, and to encourage their teams to do the same. She emphasizes the importance of having difficult conversations, asking for help when needed, and taking risks even when the outcome is uncertain. This approach fosters a culture of trust and innovation, which is often lacking in traditional leadership models.

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As a leader, it's important to recognize this; during a time of upheaval or stress, give people as much data and facts as possible so that their stories are more complete. Clear is kind and helps to damp down the conspiracy theories.

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