Brené Brown
Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor and bestselling author known for her groundbreaking work on vulnerability, courage, and leadership.
Background & Expertise
Dr. Brené Brown has revolutionized our understanding of leadership through her groundbreaking research on vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. With a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Houston, Brown began her journey studying human connection and the barriers that prevent it. What started as academic research transformed into a global movement when her 2010 TEDx Houston talk “The Power of Vulnerability” went viral (now with over 60 million views).
Brown holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work and has spent over two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Her research has upended traditional notions of leadership by demonstrating that vulnerability—often viewed as weakness in business contexts—is actually the foundation of courage, innovation, and effective leadership.
Signature Concepts & Methodologies
Vulnerability as Strength
Brown’s research-based finding that vulnerability—the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome—is essential for courageous leadership and innovation.
The Four Pillars of Courage
Her framework identifying courage as teachable, observable, and measurable through four skill sets: rumbling with vulnerability, living into values, braving trust, and learning to rise.
Dare to Lead™
Her leadership development program based on research with 150+ global C-suite executives identifying the future of leadership and the barriers to courageous leadership.
Shame Resilience Theory (SRT)
Brown’s grounded theory research explaining how shame impacts human behavior and relationships, with applications to organizational culture and leadership.
Wholehearted Leadership
Her approach to leading with authenticity, self-compassion, and emotional courage.
Books & Thought Leadership
- Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (2018)
- Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone (2017)
- Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (2015)
- Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (2012)
- The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are (2010)
All five of her books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers.
Speaking Style & Audience Experience
Brown delivers keynotes with a rare combination of research-based content, engaging storytelling, and disarming humor. Her ability to connect complex research findings to everyday experiences makes her ideas accessible and immediately applicable. She establishes rapport through authenticity and often creates deeply moving moments that audience members reference as transformative.
Her presentations blend academic rigor with warm, conversational delivery that feels more like a meaningful conversation than a lecture. Brown masterfully uses personal stories to illustrate research findings, making abstract concepts concrete and memorable. She creates psychological safety that allows audience members to engage with challenging material about vulnerability, shame, and courage.
Ideal Audiences & Event Types
- C-suite and executive leadership teams
- Organizations undergoing cultural transformation
- Companies focused on innovation and creativity
- Human resources and people development professionals
- Healthcare, education, and service industry leaders
- Annual leadership summits and strategic planning events
Recent Focus Areas
- Courageous leadership in post-pandemic organizational cultures
- Building psychological safety in hybrid and remote work environments
- Addressing burnout through wholehearted leadership practices
- Developing shame-resilient organizational cultures that foster innovation
- Translating emotional intelligence research into practical leadership approaches
