Brené Brown is the world-renowned champion of vulnerability.
But most of us have no clue how she got so well-known.
So, I took it upon myself to see if I could find her secret sauce. So that we could learn from her how to best get our message across.
Here’s what I learned:
Quick Stats About Brené Brown:
- University of Houston research professor
- Author of 6 NYT best-sellers
- Host of 2 podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead
- Her 2010 TED talk is one of the top 5 most-viewed talks in the world
- Has a filmed lecture on Netflix
Brown turns complex academic research into simple truths that we can all understand.
So… what can we learn?
Brown’s 3-Step Framework
From my research, all her success can be boiled down to a very simple process:
- Do stellar research
- Walk the talk
- Find new ways to connect
Add an unmatched work ethic, and you get a potent combination for rapid growth.
Let’s dig in:
Step 1: Do stellar research
For Brown, everything begins with research.
She tries to understand human behavior by hearing people’s lived experiences.
So, Brown:
- Interviews people
- Looks for patterns
- Writes about what she finds.
Simple, but highly effective.
Step 2: Walk the talk
Brown tries to live personally what she’s discovered professionally.
So she’s unfailingly herself. She shares (often hilarious) personal stories. She shows us vulnerability in action.
She’s magnetic.
Which leads us to…
Step 3: Find new ways to connect
Brown is so successful because she’s a brave communicator. She uses every channel available to advocate:
- She gave a TED talk (while terrified)
- She wrote a book, then a few more
- She started 2 podcasts
This desire to:
- share and connect
- do stellar research,
- walk the talk
is what makes Brown so sought-after and respected.
So, give the above a try. Listen well. Have the courage to be vulnerable and share.
And maybe you’ll become the person whose ideas others devour.