I’ve just finished reading Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. Actually I’ve just finished listening and reading it three times. The book contains Brene’s 20 years of research as it applies to leaders in business. It was with anticipation that I waited for Dare to Lead. I knew it was coming and knew it was going to be amazing. I’ve read all of Brown’s books and from the first one I was hooked.

The first Brene’ Brown book I read was The Gifts of Imperfection, I was in Queensland about 5 years ago. My son was involved in a soccer tournament and we were on the Gold Coast for a week and while he played I say in the sunshine contemplating life, and cheering him on like a good soccer mom should.

I got up early one morning and decided that I would walk along the foreshore because we were lucky enough to be staying in a hotel near the water. One of my favorite things to do is walk along the water. So I got up early, I got my shoes on, I got my phone and my earbuds and I hit play on The Gifts of Imperfection.

Listening to the first chapter of the book and I started to get very uncomfortable. The perfectionist that Brown was talking about, well it kind of sounded like me and, at that point, I hadn’t actually owned that word yet. She writes about things like vulnerability, shame, and trust, which were concepts that, for someone very corporate and practical, I wanted to push aside. I didn’t want to own vulnerability.

The next morning, I walked along that foreshore, listening to this book, walking and crying. I couldn’t stop crying. Luckily, I had my sunglasses on and a hat to cover my messy, snotty, gross face. I couldn’t believe the impact that that book had on me. I couldn’t believe that this creature, this perfectionist creature, was actually me.

After I put down the book and threw away a box of used tissues, I had to think clearly about who I was and how this perfectionist within me was impacting me, my life, my business, my kids and my partner and everyone else around me.

Fast forward to the release of Dare to Lead… the perfectionist make an appearance in this book also, but in the context of leadership.

Brown’s leadership theory’s include Leadership Armory verse Daring Leadership way.

Have a read of the book if you want to cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and embed the value of courage in your culture.

You can learn more about how to transform your culture in Michelle’s new book “Culture Inc: creating a business that delivers results and people love.” Available now.