“What Are You…” explores finishing that sentence. Through this series I’ll be finishing those sentences with …singing…listening to…and reading, getting to share some of my favorite hymns, songs, music, bible stories, and authors.
What are you reading? Brené Brown
I’m nearing the end of Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by one of my favorite authors, Brené Brown. I have loved her work on vulnerability and shame over the years, and have read nearly all of her books. Brown’s work has been a life-changer for me, and her newest book has added a whole new level to her work.
Dare to Lead
In Dare to Lead, Brown takes her research to the workplace/organization/ministry. She not only translates Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, and Braving the Wilderness into helpful tools, but her research creates a space for compassionate and daring relationships in our lives.
I love the idea of practical tools to take the lessons shared in her previous books to my own life and ministry. And although Daring is geared towards supervisors and leaders in a workplace, I’ve found it incredibly helpful everywhere from church to family relationships.
Being Curious
One of my biggest takeaways so far has been the reminder to stay curious. So often we tend to put ourselves into the role of “knower”. And as a pastor, honestly “knowing stuff” seems to be a big part of my job description. But Brown reminds us that when we come to every conversation as the “knower”, we often lose sight of the person we’re talking to. We can forget to listen, to be curious, to invest ourselves more fully in the conversation.
I’m totally guilty of that. In all kinds of relationships. And so having the reminder, and the research to back it up, is an empowering and encouraging help in my reading.
As I near the end, I’m looking forward to all the ways Brown’s work has empowered me to daring leadership, to brave work, tough conversations, and a more whole-hearted life.
What book are you looking forward to reading? Do you read much non-fiction? Who’s your go-to author for inspiration?
