Daring leaders are not silent about hard things. It’s a truth I’ve seen play out time and again in the most effective teams. This isn’t about grand, heroic gestures but the quiet courage to address the uncomfortable. Real leadership happens in those difficult conversations we’d rather avoid.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that true, courageous leadership requires confronting difficult issues head-on, not avoiding them. It’s about choosing honest dialogue over comfortable silence.
Explanation
Let me break this down from what I’ve observed. The first part, “not silent about hard things,” is the action. It’s calling out the elephant in the room, addressing the underperforming project, or giving tough feedback. But here’s the kicker—the real engine behind that action is the second part: “leaning into vulnerability.” That’s the hard part. It’s admitting you don’t have all the answers. It’s saying, “I was wrong,” or “This is scary for me, too.” That vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s the ultimate trust-builder. It gives everyone else permission to be human, which is where the real innovation and problem-solving begin.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Skill (416) |
| Topics | communication (196), courage (145), leadership (111) |
| Literary Style | clear (348) |
| Emotion / Mood | bold (60), resolute (28) |
| Overall Quote Score | 88 (131) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Brené Brown’s 2018 book, Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. It’s a key takeaway from her extensive research on courage and leadership. You sometimes see it floating around online misattributed to other leadership gurus, but it’s 100% pure Brené Brown.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (29) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Daring leaders are not silent about hard things. They lean into vulnerability when it’s uncomfortable and necessary |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2018; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780399592522; Last Edition: Random House 2018; Number of Pages: 320 |
| Where is it? | Part II: Living into Our Values, Approximate page from 2018 edition: 82 |