Brené Brown is one of my favourite thought leaders of our time. She also happens to be a qualitative researcher who examines trends in human connection. Her research on shame and vulnerability has touched the lives of millions of people.
Her 20-minute TED talk from 2014, The Power of Vulnerability, is the fourth most-viewed TED talk of all time with more than 55 million views.
In her research, Brené discovered that authenticity is the antidote to shame, and described it as:
“the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be,
and embracing who we actually are.”
Choosing to live authentically can be scary! It asks us to be courageous as we step into the unknown. This can be super challenging for those of us with control issues!
On the other hand, living authentically provides us with such rich and profound benefits!
It enables us to experience true connection. We realise we are not alone. It helps us to trust again and we benefit from our shared experiences. And our compassion grows, for ourselves and others. Our self-esteem builds and we learn to set boundaries in a healthy way. And in turn, we give others permission to be authentic.
It’s a win-win for all!