It's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” And, much of her early research centred on shame, “the fear of disconnection: is there something about me that, if other people know it or see it, that I won't be worthy of connection? The thing I can tell you about it: it's universal we all have it.” In her words: “ Connection is why we're here.

Many of Brene’s qualitative interviews provided insights into human connection – our ability to empathise, belong, and love. It’s having the courage to show up and be seen when you can’t control the outcome.” She describes vulnerability as “the feeling we get when we feel uncertain, at risk or emotionally exposed” and says it is our most accurate measurement of courage: “There is no courage without vulnerability.” For example, she’s described waking up the morning after that TEDx talk “with the worst vulnerability hangover of my life”. Thank you”) signalled humility and part of the continuing internal battle she has described in later talks. I lost the fight, but probably won my life back.” And, even her ending words (“That's all I have.

In that talk, she spoke about her own struggle with vulnerability: “For me, it was a yearlong streetfight. She put “courage over comfort” into action. Her first TED talk (“ The Power of Vulnerability” for TEDx Houston) became a major hit, currently viewed over 40 million times on the main TED site, and counting… Part of the reason for its impact is that it embodied a willingness to be brave and vulnerable herself, precisely what her life’s work has researched. These experiences with vulnerability add significantly to her authenticity, which shines brightly (including her sometimes colourful language to emphasise her points).

Brene brown book on vulnerability