Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Brené Brown has taught us what it means to dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness. Now, based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers, and culture shifters, she's showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead.

Don't miss the five-part HBO Max docuseries Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart!

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BLOOMBERG

Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential.

When we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don't see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don't avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it's necessary to do good work.

But daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we're choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we're scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can't do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.

Four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question:

How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?

In this new book, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BS style that millions of readers have come to expect and love.

Brown writes, "One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable. It's learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It's why we're here."

Whether you've read Daring Greatly and Rising Strong or you're new to Brené Brown's work, this book is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership.

BUY THE BOOK

Published Oct 9, 2018

320 pages

Average rating: 8.25

163 RATINGS

|

These clubs recently read this book...

Association Chat Book Club

Aligned with Association Chat's mission to inspire associations and the people who run them, our book club extends the conversation from the digital realm to the literary world. We explore titles that resonate with the heart of community building, personal growth, and professional excellence. Join us to share insights, forge deeper connections, and turn the page to the next chapter of your development.

This is where curiosity meets community, one page at a time.

We're a band of thinkers, leaders, and lifelong learners, diving into the depths of the written word to uncover insights that move us forward. Our book selections are more than just a series of titles; they're a conversation, a set of ideas that challenge the status quo and propel us towards personal and professional greatness. With each book, we not only read but engage, discuss, and grow.

Join us as we explore the narratives that drive innovation, foster connection, and inspire action within the association industry and beyond. Join the Association Chat Book Club: Unite, Read, Inspire!

#AssociationChat

Business and Finance Book Discussion Group

Join our Business and Finance Book Club where we will meet monthly on zoom to discuss business books throughout the year.

Community Reviews

RealtorBrian
Apr 23, 2025
8/10 stars
Thank you Brene!! I immersed myself in this book. I took the test and honestly answered the questions and find my real driving core values. I forced myself to take a hard look at who I am and who I want to be. As a kid a Dare was a real challenge, so I took it literally. What a refreshing look and personal evaluation.
RealtorBrian
Jul 15, 2024
9/10 stars
As a kid, the word “dare” had a big meaning. Brene challenged me to look being vulnerable, not a conversation in the black Man Community, but it was a dare so I had to do it. Thank you for daring me and making me a courageous leader.
TheBookishOne
Dec 27, 2025
10/10 stars
I love Brene Brown and this book is great! Courageous leadership and courage cultures are definitely where our thinking needs to be.
Celena-Boundless Chapters
Oct 02, 2025
7/10 stars
A very insightful book that goes against conventional ideas in leadership. I have been in many roles where I had to be a leader, and I always want to think outside of my box to be better for them.
Stacerse
Nov 14, 2024
10/10 stars
I cannot say enough good things about Brene Brown. She is super smart and inspirational.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.