Leaders must dare to rehumanize work is a powerful call to action. It’s about moving beyond sterile spreadsheets and KPIs to genuinely connect with your team. This approach builds the psychological safety that drives real, sustainable performance.
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Meaning
It means actively fighting the dehumanizing, purely numbers-driven culture that’s so common in business today by prioritizing genuine human connection and understanding.
Explanation
Look, for years we’ve been taught that leadership is about being stoic, infallible, and purely results-oriented. We put on this armor. But what Brené is telling us—and what I’ve seen play out in company after company—is that this armor is what’s actually killing engagement and innovation. When you dare to rehumanize, you’re making a conscious choice to be vulnerable. To ask “How are you, really?” and mean it. To see the whole person, not just the employee. It’s not about being soft; it’s about being strategic. Because a team that feels seen, heard, and connected? That’s a team that will walk through walls for you. They’ll solve problems you didn’t even know you had.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Business (233) |
| Topics | connection (265), empathy (143), leadership (111) |
| Literary Style | clear (348), professional (35) |
| Emotion / Mood | hopeful (357), progressive (2) |
| Overall Quote Score | 89 (88) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Brené Brown’s 2018 book, Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts., which was published in the United States. It’s a core tenet of her research-backed leadership philosophy. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this specific, powerful phrasing is uniquely hers.
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 | Leaders must dare to rehumanize work by cultivating connection and empathy |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2018; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780399592522; Last Edition: Random House 2018; Number of Pages: 320 |
| Where is it? | Part IV: Learning to Rise, Approximate page from 2018 edition: 202 |