Have you ever felt like being open about your feelings makes you weak? It’s not true.

Dr. Brené Brown, a well-known researcher and storyteller, shows us that being vulnerable is actually a sign of real strength.

She talks a lot about courage, leadership, and why letting your guard down can make you better, not just as a leader but as a person, too.

In this blog, I’ll share some of the best Brené Brown quotes to help you see how important it is to accept vulnerability for personal growth and leading others well.

Ready to see why being brave means being open? Let’s get into it!

Who is Brené Brown?

Brené Brown is a research professor, speaker, and writer who studies feelings like shame, courage, and vulnerability. She became famous after her TED Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” which millions of people have watched.

She has written many books like Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection, where she talks about how being open and brave makes our lives better. Brené believes that real strength comes from being honest about our fears and emotions, not from pretending to be perfect.

Her work helps people become stronger leaders, better friends, and more confident in who they are. She says, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.”

Today, Brené continues to teach people all over the world how showing up as your true self can change everything — at work, at home, and in your heart.

Brené Brown’s Most Powerful Quotes

Brené Brown’s words have inspired millions to be braver, more open, and true to themselves. Her quotes remind us that real strength comes from being honest about who we are.

Here are some of her most powerful quotes that will help you see courage, vulnerability, and leadership in a whole new way.

Vulnerability and Courage

1. “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.”
2. “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.”
3. “You can’t get to courage without walking through vulnerability.”
4. “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.”
5. “The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the willingness to show up.”
6. “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
7. “Courage is contagious. A critical mass of brave leaders changes everything.”
8. “Choosing to be curious is choosing to be vulnerable.”
9. “Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”
10. “We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.”
11. “If you’re not in the arena also getting your butt kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.”
12. “The only thing I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.”
13. “You either walk inside your story or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”
14. “There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.”
15. “Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy.”
16. “Courage is telling the story of who you are with your whole heart.”
17. “Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
18. “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
19. “What we know matters, but who we are matters more.”
20. “Vulnerability is the most accurate measure of courage.”

Authenticity and Connection

1. “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”
2. “Connection is why we’re here; it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”
3. “Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.”
4. “Belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.”
5. “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
6. “We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known.”
7. “Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences.”
8. “To love ourselves and support each other in the process of becoming real is perhaps the greatest single act of daring greatly.”
9. “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day.”
10. “Authenticity is not something we have or don’t have. It’s a practice.”
11. “Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.”
12. “Love and belonging are irreducible needs of all men, women, and children.”
13. “True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”
14. “Belonging starts with self-acceptance.”
15. “Authenticity requires almost constant choosing.”
16. “If we want to fully experience love and belonging, we must believe we are worthy of love and belonging.”
17. “Shame hates it when we reach out and tell our story. It hates having words wrapped around it.”
18. “Connection requires vulnerability.”
19. “Vulnerability gives us freedom.”
20. “Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.'”

Shame and Leadership

1. “Shame is the intensely painful feeling that we are unworthy of love and belonging.”
2. “When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.”
3. “Leaders must either invest a reasonable amount of time attending to fears and feelings or squander an unreasonable amount of time trying to manage ineffective and unproductive behavior.”
4. “You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”
5. “Shame is the fear of disconnection.”
6. “Daring leaders who live into their values are never silent about hard things.”
7. “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”
8. “Vulnerability is the greatest measure of courage.”
9. “Shame cannot survive being spoken. It cannot survive empathy.”
10. “Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable.”
11. “You cannot shame or belittle people into changing their behaviors.”
12. “Leaders must create spaces where people feel safe enough to be brave.”
13. “The most effective leaders lead with heart.”
14. “Vulnerability is the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome.”
15. “Shame loves secrecy.”
16. “Daring leadership is ultimately about serving others, not ourselves.”
17. “Shame resilience is the ability to recognize shame and move through it with empathy.”
18. “Being a daring leader means choosing courage over comfort.”
19. “Authenticity requires vulnerability, transparency, and integrity.”
20. “Leading with vulnerability builds trust faster than perfection ever could.”

Bonus Inspirational Quotes

1. “Courage is a heart word.”
2. “Vulnerability is about having the courage to show up and be seen.”
3. “Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.”
4. “There’s nothing more daring than showing up, putting ourselves out there and letting ourselves be seen.”
5. “Choosing vulnerability means choosing courage.”
6. “There is no joy without vulnerability.”
7. “Shame cannot survive empathy.”
8. “Only when we are brave enough to face our own darkness will we be able to lead others to the light.”
9. “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
10. “What we know matters, but who we are matters more.”

Applying Brené Brown’s Teachings in Everyday Life

Brené Brown’s ideas aren’t just for reading — they’re meant to be lived. Here’s how you can use her lessons about vulnerability, courage, and connection in your daily life.

In Leadership

Good leaders aren’t perfect. They show courage by being honest about mistakes and open to learning. When leaders share their struggles, they build trust. Teams work better when they feel safe to speak up and take risks without fear.

In Relationships

Being vulnerable makes relationships stronger. Whether it’s with friends, family, or coworkers, sharing real feelings helps people connect. It’s about being brave enough to say, “I need help,” or “I’m scared,” instead of pretending everything’s fine.

In Personal Development

Growth starts with knowing yourself. Brené Brown teaches that being open about your fears and flaws can lead to real change.

When you stop hiding from your emotions, you start building true self-awareness. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real, learning from mistakes, and getting stronger every day.

Conclusion

Brené Brown’s quotes remind us that real strength comes from being open, honest, and brave. Her words teach us that courage and vulnerability are not weaknesses but powerful tools for growth, leadership, and connection.

Take a moment to think about how you can show more courage and openness in your own life. Small steps, like asking for help or speaking your truth, can make a big difference.

Remember, being brave doesn’t mean being perfect — it means being real. If you found these Brené Brown quotes helpful, keep learning and growing by checking out more of our blogs. There’s so much more to learn and put into action!

Ready to start healing from within? Read here: How to Love Yourself and Focus on Yourself.