If you look at her profile on TED...do I need to back up and explain TED? TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and is an organization that holds conferences with speakers who have "ideas worth spreading." You can go to their website, follow them on Facebook or Twitter, or search them out on YouTube and what you will find is hundreds of fabulous videos full of...well, ideas worth spreading. They are given by poets, professors, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, psychologists, and so many more people who have something to say. The talks themselves are on anything from how to use just 1 paper towel to dry your hands with (environmental) to revolutionary classroom tactics (education) and of course so many more. If you are unfamiliar with TED, get familiar, and be prepared to be challenged, encouraged, and awed.
So...back to Brené...her TED profile describes her as "a vulnerability researcher." Um...she had me at that. Not to mention something about her reminds me of Elisabeth Shue so you know. But for real you guys, Brené is fabulous. Her first talk was titled, "The Power of Vulnerability" and it was delivered in 2010. She followed that up with an appearance earlier this year and delivered "Listening to Shame." Combined, the talks have close to 10 million views online. She has taken some of the ideas in those talks and her research and written a book called Daring Greatly. I have only read a few pages, but it's fabulous. She has other books that tackle perfectionism, shame, inadequacy, and other words that sound like psychobabble but are TOTALLY legit in her hands, because she is smart about them. She researches these topics from a very matter of fact point of view, then delivers the results, offering practical application. She's the real deal.
But I am not going to sit here and preach at you about Brené and her wisdom, her likability, and the way she is singlehandedly bringing emotional awareness and admittance to the forefront. By making it okay for powerful women (and men) to talk about shame and vulnerability, and to act on authenticity and courage, she is changing business practices, relationships, and her teachings are seeping into the culture wherever someone is willing to follow their heart. I will let her speak for herself. Here are just a few quotes from Brené to consider:
“Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.”
“The two most powerful words when we're in struggle: me too.”
“Vulnerability is not weakness. And that myth is profoundly dangerous.”
Isn't she brilliant? Get familiar with her if you're up for a little self-examination, and if you're not...well...you're probably not reading this blog.
Here are her two TED videos: Listening To Shame
The Power Of Vulnerability
Is there a TED talk that has affected you?
I started listening to her first TED talk at work one day and got interrupted, and of course, I forgot about it. One that is moving that I did get through it called "My Father, the Forger." I cried. Not going to lie. Also, there is one about a guy who does improve comedy that is just a hoot. I can't remember him, his talk title, or anything...so I'm useless. haha. His name may by Jeff something. If you can find it, watch it. Be prepared to laugh a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know I don't have to tell you about Sarah Kay's talks. She's the reason I found TED anyway because she was going to come to the Layman group thing. Bonk.