People You Should Meet: Brené Brown

You've probably already heard of the prolific researcher and storyteller, Brené Brown, but in case you haven't, let me introduce you! Brené Brown speaks and writes about shame, vulnerability, and how to be brave enough to face them both so that you can live a fuller life. I'm in the midst of reading her book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, and it's a game-changer. Brown defines shame and vulnerability in ways that help me understand how much the feeling of "I'm not enough" really impacts all of us -- men and women, at home and in the workplace.

Facing your feelings of shame and having the courage to be vulnerable will, based on Brown's research, make you a better leader, friend, parent, spouse, and human. Check her out if you dare! I think her work has something important to say to each of us. Some resources you can start with:

• Her TEDx Houston video on the power of vulnerability (20 minutes)
• Her TED video on listening to shame (20 minutes)
• Her podcast on On Being with Krista Tippett (60 minutes)
• A really sweet little video on empathy v. sympathy (3 minutes)