One of the greatest misconceptions about leaders is that they should have all the answers. This just isn’t true.
Great leadership requires courage, authenticity, and vulnerability, especially when the path forward is unclear. Dare to Lead by Dr. Brené Brown outlines the essential skills for doing just that, and they’re skills every leader can learn.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through the four core skills of daring leadership, what they mean in practice, and how to begin applying them in your team and organization today.
These four skill sets are:
- Rumbling with Vulnerability
- Living into Our Values
- Braving Trust
- Learning to Rise
Rumbling with Vulnerability
Daring leadership begins with vulnerability. Brené Brown calls it “rumbling with vulnerability.” Here are some of her thoughts on why the word “rumble” is so important:
“A rumble is a discussion, conversation, or meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle of problem identification and solving, to take a break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless in owning our parts, and, as psychologist Harriet Lerner teaches, to listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard.”
Rumbling with vulnerability is about having honest, messy, and uncomfortable conversations. It’s not about oversharing or emotional dumping—it’s about showing up with openness and emotional honesty, even when it feels risky.
Many leaders fear vulnerability because they believe it undermines authority. In reality, it’s the foundation of trust and innovation. When leaders model vulnerability, they create space for others to speak up, share ideas, and take risks. This cultivates a culture of accountability and connection—essential ingredients for meaningful progress and creativity.
Living into Our Values
Living into our values means translating them into behaviors. This is one of the most actionable steps in the Dare to Lead framework—and one that’s often overlooked in traditional leadership development programs.
For example, if “honesty” is a core value, how does that show up in your team meetings, performance reviews, or difficult conversations? Operationalizing values ensures consistency in leadership and helps teams align their decisions and actions with shared purpose. In daring leadership, values are tools for accountability, clarity, and culture-building.
BRAVING Trust
Trust is the glue that holds teams together. The Dare to Lead curriculum breaks it down with the BRAVING acronym:
- Boundaries – Respecting limits
- Reliability – Doing what you say you’ll do
- Accountability – Owning mistakes and making amends
- Vault – Holding confidentiality
- Integrity – Choosing courage over comfort
- Nonjudgment – Asking for what you need without shame
- Generosity – Extending grace when others fall short
Each of these elements can be taught, observed, and improved over time. Leaders who intentionally practice BRAVING build high-trust environments where feedback flows, innovation thrives, and teams stay resilient through change.
If your organization is ready to build a foundation of trust through the Dare to Lead program, visit Dr. Melissa Smith to inquire about workshops and facilitation.
Learning to Rise
The final skill for daring leadership is learning to rise. Failure and setbacks are inevitable in leadership, but how we respond defines our effectiveness. Learning to rise is about building resilience—the ability to get back up, learn from mistakes, and stay grounded in one’s purpose.
In the Dare to Lead framework, this includes practices such as recognizing emotional triggers, rewriting unhelpful stories, and developing grounded confidence that allows us to respond instead of react. It’s not about perfection—it’s about staying in the arena even when things get tough.
Why These Skills Matter
These skills of daring leadership aren’t theoretical—they’re deeply practical. They help us engage in hard conversations, create psychological safety, and lead with integrity. Whether you’re a CEO or a first-time manager, these skills help you build stronger teams and make better decisions.
They also give you a roadmap for personal growth. By practicing vulnerability, living your values, building trust, and bouncing back from challenges, you not only improve team outcomes—you grow into the kind of leader others want to follow.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. But by committing to the four core skills of daring leadership, you give yourself and your team a framework for courage, connection, and continuous growth. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or looking to reinvigorate your team culture, these principles will serve you well.
P.S. Dr. Melissa Smith is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, trained and authorized to bring Brené Brown’s research-based courage-building program to your team or organization. If you’re ready to lead with more courage and connection, click here to learn more about the Dare to Lead™ Program!