You know, “The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning” is one of those concepts that completely reframes leadership. It’s not about putting on armor; it’s about having the guts to be seen, truly seen, even when you can’t control the outcome. This idea flips the script on what we’re taught about being strong.
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Meaning
At its heart, this quote means that real strength isn’t about invulnerability. It’s about the willingness to be present and authentic, regardless of whether you succeed or fail.
Explanation
Let me break this down a bit. We’re conditioned, especially in business, to see everything as a competition. Win or lose. Right or wrong. But what Brené is getting at is that the bravest thing you can do is to step into the arena *before* you know the result. It’s about showing up for the tough conversation, admitting you don’t have all the answers, asking for help. That’s the work. And it’s hard. It’s so much easier to just… not show up. To armor up. To pretend. But that’s where trust and real connection are built. Not in the victory laps, but in the messy, uncertain middle.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Life (320) |
| Topics | courage (145), presence (80), vulnerability (47) |
| Literary Style | concise (408), motivational (245) |
| Emotion / Mood | encouraging (304) |
| Overall Quote Score | 90 (29) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Brené Brown’s 2018 book, Dare to Lead. It’s a core principle of her research on courage and leadership. You sometimes see this sentiment floating around without attribution, but it’s definitively hers, born from decades of studying vulnerability, shame, and empathy.
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 | The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing; it’s about the courage to show up |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2018; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780399592522; Last Edition: Random House 2018; Number of Pages: 320 |
| Where is it? | Part I: Rumbling with Vulnerability, Approximate page from 2018 edition: 25 |