Daring Greatly

I. Introduction

In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt introduced the idea of “daring greatly” during a speech in Paris. Roosevelt was paying tribute to the type of man who, “if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly.” Brené Brown expands on this idea in Daring Greatly, encouraging readers to be the “man in the arena,” as Roosevelt put it, rather than a critic in the stands — or couch potato mired on your sofa at home. 

Brown’s research has shown that the key to daring greatly lies in opening yourself up to vulnerability. The problem is that just about everyone is afraid of being vulnerable. Brown has experienced this firsthand — she once told her therapist, “I frickin’ hate vulnerability” — which makes her a perfect coach for readers looking to overcome this stumbling block themselves.

Daring Greatly has sold more than a million copies since its publication in 2012, and hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list.

II. The Scarcity Syndrome

III. Coming to Terms with Shame

IV. Lay Down Your Shields

V. Close the Disengagement Divide

VI. Wholehearted Parenting