If we are brave with our lives, we create a powerful ripple effect. It’s about how our personal courage doesn’t just change our own story—it literally paves the way for others to follow. Think of it as emotional trailblazing.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that courage is contagious. Your bravery isn’t just a personal act; it’s a social one that builds a permission structure for everyone around you.
Explanation
Okay, let me break this down. I’ve seen this play out so many times in teams and organizations. It’s not just about you being brave in a vacuum. When you stand up and speak a difficult truth—when you own a mistake or advocate for an unpopular but right idea—you’re doing two things.
First, you’re modeling the behavior. You’re showing people it’s possible. Second, and this is the crucial part, you’re absorbing some of the perceived risk. You’re the first one through the wall, and you get all the bruises, sure. But you’ve now shown others that the wall can be scaled. That it’s survivable. That the other side is worth it. Your act creates a new, safer emotional pathway. It’s leadership in its purest form.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | influence (70), modeling (12) |
| Literary Style | memorable (234) |
| Emotion / Mood | gentle (183), inspiring (392) |
| Overall Quote Score | 77 (179) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from the research of Dr. Brené Brown. It’s in her 2004 book, Women & Shame: Reaching Out, Speaking Truths & Building Connection. You’ll sometimes see it floating around unattributed or credited to other authors, but this is classic Brené—rooted in her decades of qualitative data on vulnerability and courage.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Women & Shame: Reaching Out, Speaking Truths (39) |
| 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 | If we are brave with our lives, we make it safer for others to be brave with theirs |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2004; (other edition details unknown) |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2004 Hazelden edition, Chapter: Courage and Contagion |