Daring

Those of you who get my weekly email will have heard be mention and quote  Brené Brown on more than one occasion. I first came across  her TED talk and then picked up one book, [oh my in 2015], then another, then another  and another- you can see where this goes. That was the order I've read the books in, if you have never read a Brené' Brown book she gives you some ideas as the order to read them in here. 

Recently she released a Netflix special - The Call to Courage. Takes about an hour to watch. I say about an hour, as I stopped a few times to take notes along with the pause for laughter and tears that came with it [pretty even measure of both I'd say]. 

She managed in that hour to connect personally with the audience and in doing so cover some significant themes. I'm wondering whether to present you a list of these from my perspective, coupled with some links to other resources or writings on the topics [like this or this], or would one element be better, picking up on one and exploring it in a little depth. So welcome to my brain this morning, wondering which would you like most, which will be the most beneficial. Overthinking and trying to get it right. 

What I learned from listening to and reading Brené Brown's work is that I won’t get it right. I will fail.

When I write each week and then when I get brave to put the writing on this website I go through the same fear. Some of you will read this and it will be something you connect with and help you. Some will skim through and move on with your day. Some of you will unsubscribe. Heh, some of you won’t even open it. Some of you will love it, some of you will think it’s boring. Here's the thing - there is nothing I can do about any of this. I have no control over what you do or don’t do with my words and thoughts. No control over what you think of it. All I can do is keep writing. Sharing my thoughts and words out there, sharing what I have learned, found useful and think is important for leaders to think about. I look back at some of my writing over the last couple of years and cringe. Then I smile, because I know that means I've learnt something, changed, and grown [oh how I wish I could find another word for that right now]. 

When you are clear on why you are doing what you are doing, care about making a difference, care about how you do what you do and are showing up not knowing what the outcome will be, you are being courageous. You are in the arena trying. Trying, failing, having a win, failing some more and still in the arena trying. This was one [huge] step of courage for me and how I put it into words. 

Healthcare today has tough challenges to face and needs leaders who will not be quiet about the hard things. Doing what you do as a leader in healthcare, if you are fully in, means you will get your arse kicked, you will fall on the ground. You will find what you need to find to get back up, step over the hateful and unhelpful comments, criticisms and suggestions thrown at you from those not in there with you. You will lean on, listen to and get strength from those in the arena with you.