Dare to Lead: Discussion 1

[Amber]

In pages 1-70, Brené Brown discusses the importance of courage and its relation to vulnerability in the workplace, along with the four skill sets of courage. Creating a space for development for those to "take off their armor" is key to building a safe environment to grow and make mistakes. Having a collective approach can help us gain the strength, courage, and bravery to be good leaders. Setting boundaries and reflecting on what your role is as a leader on a team can spark conversations for others to do the same.

Discussion questions:

1. What were your thoughts on the content covered in pages 1-70? How do you think this information can be applied to the field of public health?

2. Brené Brown notes in the introduction that courage is not "determined by genetic destiny" but is something that can be taught and learned. What are your thoughts about this insight? Do you agree/disagree?

3. How do you define vulnerability? Did your definition change after reading this section of the book?

4. For you, what does it look like to be vulnerable? In what ways do you show your vulnerability to people that you work with?

5. Do you think being vulnerable is necessary for public health leaders? If so, why?

[Morgan]

I really liked this first section of Dare to Lead. Brown does a good job of connecting with the reader through storytelling and breaking down her research. This section talked a lot about vulnerability and its importance in the workplace. For a lot of people, the thought of being vulnerable sounds like a daunting and uncomfortable task. Brown shows us that being vulnerable can take form in different ways.

I personally think that vulnerability is essential to the public health workforce. One quote from this section stood out to me the most when thinking about how this conversation can be applied to the field of public health. It reads:

"'There's probably not a single act at work that requires more vulnerability than holding people responsible for ethics and values, especially when you're alone in it or there's a lot of money, power, or influence at stake.'" (Page 28)

I thought that this quote especially recognizes that advocacy requires vulnerability, and in the field of public health, advocacy is essential to moving priorities forward. Public health efforts are not always the ones prioritized by our institutions, and so vulnerability is a critical piece of the puzzle for professionals in the field. Advocating for public health values and health equity requires being vulnerable. Overall, it is a good reminder of the power of vulnerability, despite the discomfort it often carries.