Submitted By: Salah Ahamed
Profession/Background: Mid-Level Manager at a Marketing Agency
Book Title: Dare to Lead
Author: Brené Brown
Before reading the Book:
Before I picked up “Dare to Lead“, I thought leadership was mostly about control, strategy, and keeping emotions at bay. I was the type of manager who kept a polite distance. I believed that professionalism meant not showing too much of yourself. Vulnerability? I thought that was just another word for weakness.
At work, I was getting results, but something always felt… off. My team delivered, sure, but there was tension in the air. People didn’t open up. Feedback was one-directional—me to them. And deep down, I knew I wasn’t being fully honest with myself either. I avoided tough conversations and sugarcoated criticism because I didn’t want to seem too harsh.
At home, it was the same pattern. I was a provider, a planner, a protector. But emotionally? I was guarded. My wife once told me, “You’re here, but I don’t always feel you.” That hit me like a ton of bricks.
Discovering the Book That Changed Everything:
I stumbled on “Dare to Lead” during a late-night YouTube rabbit hole. I watched a short clip of Brené Brown’s TED Talk. She was talking about courage, vulnerability, and connection. And it wasn’t just talk—it felt raw and real. That same night, I ordered the book.
I didn’t know what to expect. I thought it might be another “inspirational” leadership book filled with clichés and unrealistic ideals. But as soon as I started reading, I realized this was different.
Brené didn’t pretend that leadership was easy. She didn’t glorify power or perfection. She talked about the real stuff—fear, shame, discomfort, and the armor we wear. And she backed it all up with research and stories that felt… familiar.
After the Book:
Finishing “Dare to Lead” was like slowly removing a mask I didn’t even know I was wearing.
The book challenged everything I believed about leadership. I realized that courage isn’t about being tough—it’s about being real. It’s about having the difficult conversations, asking for help, and owning your mistakes. And more than anything, it’s about leading with heart.
I started showing up differently—at work, at home, even with myself.
I began to listen more deeply to my team. I stopped pretending to have all the answers. I told them about the challenges I was facing too. And something amazing happened: they leaned in. They started trusting me more, opening up more.
I also stopped avoiding hard conversations. I still feel nervous before having them, but now I understand that discomfort is part of growth. Every time I lean into that discomfort, I get stronger—and so do my relationships.
The Transformation:
Looking back, I can say this book didn’t just improve my leadership skills—it shifted my entire mindset.
The biggest transformation was internal. I no longer measure my worth by how much I control or how perfect I seem. I’ve learned that people connect with honesty, not polish. That being vulnerable isn’t about oversharing or being dramatic—it’s about being human.
At work, the atmosphere has changed. Our team meetings feel more like real conversations, not rehearsed updates. People share ideas, even the messy ones. They speak up when something isn’t working. We’re not just working together—we’re growing together.
At home, I’ve become more emotionally present. I tell my wife when I’m struggling instead of bottling it up. I’ve started asking my kids deeper questions, and I really listen. They notice. They feel it. And I feel more connected than ever.
My Favorite Line & How It Helps Me Every Day:
“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”
This line hit me like lightning. I used to avoid clarity because I thought it would make me look mean or cold. But now I understand that unclear communication—vague feedback, polite avoidance—is actually a form of dishonesty.
Now, whether I’m giving feedback at work or having a tough conversation at home, I remind myself: being clear is a gift. It’s how we respect people. It’s how we build trust.
To Anyone Considering This Book:
If you think leadership is about having all the answers, this book will challenge you. If you’ve ever struggled to speak your truth, connect with your team, or lead with heart—this book will guide you.
“Dare to Lead” isn’t just for CEOs or managers. It’s for anyone who wants to lead a life with more courage, more authenticity, and more connection.
It’s not a “feel-good” book. It asks a lot of you. It pushes you to look inward, face your fears, and unlearn decades of bad habits. But it does it with compassion, humor, and a powerful sense of humanity.
This book didn’t give me a new mask to wear—it helped me take the old one off. And once you start leading with courage, there’s no going back.