DeepSummary
Brené Brown and Barrett discuss the importance of creating 'brave spaces' rather than 'safe spaces' when facilitating the Dare to Lead training program. They explain that 'safe spaces' can be an over-promise as true safety cannot be guaranteed, especially for marginalized groups. Instead, they aim to build 'brave spaces' where people commit to showing up vulnerably and having tough conversations.
They share data from different groups they have trained, including their own organization, MBA students, Microsoft, and NASA astronauts. Across all groups, the top responses for what is needed to fully engage were a commitment to the process, a judgment-free zone, and the intention to implement what is learned. The primary barrier identified was fear of judgment.
Brown and Barrett emphasize the importance of empathy, perspective-taking, and believing people's stories even when they contradict one's own worldview. They note that judgment stems from shame and is the opposite of daring leadership. Creating brave spaces requires grace, accountability, and the freedom to practice new courage-building skills.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Create 'brave spaces' rather than 'safe spaces' when facilitating vulnerability to account for power dynamics and lived experiences.
- Key requirements for brave spaces include non-judgment, empathy, perspective-taking, commitment to the process, and intention to implement learnings.
- Fear of judgment is the primary barrier to vulnerability, stemming from not feeling believed or having one's story invalidated.
- Judgment is the opposite of daring leadership and stems from shame as a self-protective behavior.
- Empathy requires skills like perspective-taking, emotional literacy, mindfulness, and staying out of judgment.
- Provide grace, accountability, space and freedom to practice courage-building skills repeatedly.
- Across diverse groups like organizations, students, and NASA, the data on requirements for vulnerability is remarkably consistent.
- Facilitators cannot guarantee safety but can ask participants to show up bravely and commit to the process.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Judgment is armor. It's not daring leadership. It's the opposite of daring leadership. Judgment is armored leadership and just armored behavior.“ by Brené Brown
- “Empathy is actually another collection of skill sets. It's perspective taking. It's staying out of judgment.“ by Brené Brown
- “When we talk about just the word safety, even if we use the term psychological safety, Aiko's, I think, very valid criticism of it is it doesn't take into account power, you know? And it doesn't take into account power over an invisible power.“ by Brené Brown
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Episode Information
Dare to Lead with Brené Brown
Vox Media Podcast Network
11/17/22