70+ Brené Brown Quotes That Will Change How You Live & Lead

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Brené Brown has become a beacon of inspiration for many, guiding us through the complexities of both personal and professional life with her profound insights on vulnerability, courage, and connection.

As a research professor and bestselling author, she encourages us to embrace our imperfections and lead with our hearts rather than our fears.

I’ve personally read several of Brené Brown’s books and can say that they are incredibly helpful in your relationship with yourself, your partner and family members, and even your colleagues and friends.

Here is a short list of Brené Brown’s most notable works:

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

In this article, we’ve gathered 70+ Brené Brown quotes from her books, talks, and podcasts that can transform not only your approach to leadership but also enrich your everyday life.

Whether you’re navigating challenges at work or seeking deeper connections in your personal relationships, these quotes will resonate with your experiences and aspirations.

Get ready to explore how Brené’s wisdom can empower you to live authentically, lead courageously, and foster an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Let’s dive into the transformative power of her words!

Understanding Brené Brown’s Philosophy

Brené Brown’s groundbreaking research and insights have revolutionized our understanding of leadership, personal growth, and human connection.

At the core of her philosophy lie three fundamental concepts: vulnerability, courage, and connection. These principles intertwine to form a powerful framework for both personal development and effective leadership.

The Importance of Vulnerability

Vulnerability, often misunderstood as weakness, is actually the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change, according to Brown.

It means having the courage to show up and be seen, even when there are no guarantees of success. It’s about embracing uncertainty and taking emotional risks.

In our daily lives, vulnerability allows us to form deeper, more authentic relationships. By sharing our true selves, including our fears and insecurities, we create opportunities for genuine connection and understanding with others.

For me, in my business, vulnerability has been the most prevalent and necessary in my communications with my audience and my endeavors to always be as transparent as possible.

The Role of Courage

Courage, in Brown’s philosophy, isn’t about fearlessness. Instead, it’s about showing up and letting ourselves be seen, especially in moments of uncertainty. It’s the willingness to take action despite fear, to speak up when it matters, and to live aligned with our values.

Courage manifests in various aspects of our lives – from pursuing a passion project to having difficult conversations with loved ones, or from changing careers to standing up for what’s right in our communities.

It’s the force that propels us out of our comfort zones and into growth, whether in personal endeavors or professional settings.

The Power of Connection

Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued. Brown emphasizes that humans are hardwired for connection and that it gives purpose and meaning to our lives.

Brené Brown quote about connection — via Brené Brown

Cultivating meaningful connections enriches our lives, providing support, joy, and a sense of belonging. It’s through these connections that we find the strength to be vulnerable and the courage to grow. This applies to all our relationships – with family, friends, colleagues, and even within our broader communities.

70+ Brené Brown Quotes

These quotes encapsulate many of the key insights from Brené Brown’s body of work on vulnerability, courage, leadership, shame, and connection.

They’re designed to challenge and inspire how we live and lead with authenticity.

Brené Brown Quotes on Vulnerability

Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.

When we numb the dark, we numb the light.
Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.
Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.
What makes you vulnerable makes you beautiful.
Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.
Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.
Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences.
To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees—these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain.
Vulnerability is about showing up and being seen. It’s tough to do that when we’re terrified about what people might see or think.
If we’re going to find our way back to each other, vulnerability is going to be that path.

Brené Brown Quotes on Courage

You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot have both.

Courage is a habit, a virtue: You get it by courageous acts. It’s like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by couraging.
Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.
True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world.
Vulnerability is the most accurate measure of courage.
Courage is telling our story, not being immune to criticism.
Courage is like—it’s a habitus, a habit, a virtue: You get it by courageous acts. It’s like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by encouraging.

Brené Brown Quotes on Shame and Empathy

Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.

The most dangerous stories we make up are the narratives that diminish our inherent worthiness.
Shame derives its power from being unspeakable.
If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.
Empathy is the antidote to shame.
Shame is the most powerful, master emotion. It’s the fear that we’re not good enough.
We cannot selectively numb emotions. When we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.
Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.’
The two most powerful words when we’re in struggle: Me too.

Brené Brown Quotes on Leadership

Who we are is how we lead.

Leaders must either invest a reasonable amount of time attending to fears and feelings or squander an unreasonable amount of time trying to manage ineffective and unproductive behavior.
To lead is to engage people in their own potential.
When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending.
A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential.
The greatest barrier to courageous leadership is not fear, it’s how we respond to our fear.
Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.
Leadership is not about titles or the corner office. It’s about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage.
Leaders need to learn to sit with discomfort, whether it’s their own or their team’s, and lead from a place of authenticity.

Brené Brown Quotes on Connection and Belonging

Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.

Belonging is being a part of something bigger than yourself. But it’s also the courage to stand alone, and to belong to yourself above all else.
We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known.
Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.
Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.

Brené Brown Quotes on Fear and Failure

There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.

I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life.
Daring is not saying, ‘I’m willing to risk failure.’ Daring is saying, ‘I know I will eventually fail, and I’m still all in.’
The only thing more terrifying than speaking your truth is not speaking it.
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.
Failure is an important part of innovation. It’s necessary to get curious and brave.
You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.

Brené Brown Quotes on Authenticity and Self-Worth

Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day.

Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.
Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.
You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.
When we work from a place, I believe, that says, ‘I’m enough,’ then we stop screaming and start listening, we’re kinder and gentler to the people around us, and we’re kinder and gentler to ourselves.
The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.
People who wade into discomfort and vulnerability and tell the truth about their stories are the real badasses.
Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart.

Brené Brown Quotes on Embracing Imperfection

Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because perfection doesn’t exist.

The most powerful teaching moments are the ones where you screw up.
Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be our best. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.
Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.
Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life.
To be imperfect and vulnerable is not to lose credibility; it is a reflection of humanity.
Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.

Brené Brown Quotes on Gratitude and Joy

We’re a nation hungry for more joy because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude.

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.
We cannot practice gratitude and joy when we’re afraid to feel vulnerable.
Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.
Gratitude is a practice that can transform the way we experience life.

Brené Brown Quotes on Wholehearted Living

Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness.

Brené Brown quote about wholehearted living

Wholeheartedness is about integrating vulnerability and courage into our lives.
Wholehearted living is cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, no matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough.

Applying Brené Brown’s Quotes and Philosophy

Brené Brown’s insights are not just theoretical concepts; they are meant to be lived and practiced in our daily lives. Here’s how we can integrate her teachings into our personal and professional spheres:

Integrating Quotes into Daily Life

Morning Reflections: Start your day by reading a Brené Brown quote. Reflect on its meaning and how you can embody it throughout your day.
Journaling: Use her quotes as prompts for journaling. Write about how the quote resonates with your experiences and what actions you can take based on its wisdom.
Mindful Moments: During stressful situations, pause and recall a relevant quote. Use it as a mantra to center yourself and approach the situation with courage and authenticity.
Sharing Wisdom: Share meaningful quotes with friends, family, or colleagues. Discuss how these insights can be applied in your relationships or workplace.
Visual Reminders: Create visual representations of your favorite quotes – as phone wallpapers, desk ornaments, or framed art. These serve as constant reminders of the principles you’re striving to embody.

Leading with Authenticity

Embrace Vulnerability: In leadership roles, practice showing vulnerability. Share your challenges and uncertainties with your team, fostering an environment of trust and openness.
Encourage Authenticity: Create spaces where team members feel safe to be themselves. Celebrate diversity of thought and encourage honest, respectful communication.
Practice Empathy: Actively listen to others without judgment. Seek to understand their perspectives and emotions, building stronger connections and fostering a culture of empathy.
Set Clear Boundaries: Establish and communicate healthy boundaries in both personal and professional relationships. Remember, boundaries are a form of self-respect and crucial for maintaining authenticity.
Cultivate Resilience: When faced with setbacks, use Brown’s teachings on resilience to bounce back. Embrace the learning opportunity in failures and view them as part of the growth process.

By applying these principles, we can create more authentic, courageous, and connected lives and workplaces.

Remember, as Brené Brown often emphasizes, this is an ongoing practice. It’s not about perfection, but about showing up consistently and wholeheartedly in our lives and relationships.

FAQs About Brené Brown Quotes and Philosophy

What is Brené Brown’s motto?

Brené Brown’s motto is “Courage over comfort.” It emphasizes choosing vulnerability, risk, and discomfort in order to grow and connect, rather than staying safe and avoiding challenges.

What is a positive quote from Brené Brown?

One of Brené Brown’s most positive quotes is: “You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” This uplifting message encourages self-acceptance and the belief that everyone is deserving of love and connection.

What is Brené Brown’s main message?

Brené Brown’s main message is that vulnerability is the key to authentic living, connection, and courage. She teaches that embracing vulnerability helps us form meaningful relationships, innovate, and lead with empathy, transforming both personal and professional lives.

What is Brené Brown’s philosophy?

Brené Brown’s philosophy centers around the idea that embracing vulnerability, practicing empathy, and cultivating courage are essential to living wholeheartedly. She believes that leaning into discomfort and imperfection leads to greater connection, creativity, and fulfillment in life and leadership.

Conclusion

Brené Brown’s quotes hold a unique power to inspire us to live more authentically, lead more courageously, and connect more deeply.

Whether you’re looking to show up with vulnerability in your personal life or lead with empathy and resilience in your professional role, her wisdom provides a roadmap for meaningful change.

It’s not always easy to embrace discomfort, face fear, or admit imperfections, but as Brené teaches us, these are the paths to growth, connection, and true belonging.

Start small—pick a Brené Brown quote, reflect on it, and try incorporating it into your daily routine. Over time, you’ll notice a shift, not only in how you see yourself but in how you show up for others.

Remember, this journey isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being brave, staying curious, and knowing that you are enough just as you are.

Whether you’re a leader of a team, a family, or just navigating your own life, Brené Brown’s insights remind us that true strength comes from the courage to be vulnerable and the willingness to lead with our whole hearts.

So, take a deep breath, dive in, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy—because that’s where the magic happens.