DARING GREATLY

This book is about “how the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, learn and lead.” The Author was motivated to write this book in order to help the reader understand we can reduce the power of shame over those we come in contact with by understanding our own shame, cultivating resilience and then giving a voice to what was once silenced, what lies beneath venerability. The primary purpose of this book is to inspire, educate, enlighten and explain how a person in any walk of life may strengthen their perception of the world around them in regards to vulnerability. There are many parts in the book which I love. My most favorite part of the book is Dr. Brown's referral to a speech that Teddy Roosevelt gave in 1910. Roosevelt said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”(p.11) I provided the entire quote because if there is ever a moment which I reflect on this reflection, I want to have the quote handy. Most importantly, we could analyze Roosevelt’s quote and align it with themes and topics through the book, almost effortlessly. Themes such as a person enduring amidst all obstacles in life, putting up a good fight as it applies to a persons life and simply doing whatever it takes (i.e overcoming vulnerability) to face your fears.

Daring Greatly: Daring Greatly

My favorite Chapter in the book and my significant take away from the book is in Chapter 7 when Dr. Brown says “Raising children who are hopeful and who have the courage to be vulnerable means stepping back and letting them experience disappointment, deal with conflict, learn how to assert themselves, and have the opportunity to fail. If we’re always following our children into the arena, hushing the critics, and assuring their victory, they’ll never learn that they have the ability to dare greatly on their own”(p.240). We were asked on a question for our quiz “hope is a function of struggle.” How has this rung true for us in college. I answered “In the text, the author mentions Hope as a function of struggle to develop hopefulness in their children. They stated, and I agree, “If we want our children to develop high levels of hopefulness, we have to let them struggle.” This can be similar and that of an analogy, at least I make this comparison in my mind that Texas A&M and a philosophical approach to structure students education base and us as students the child. Texas A&M is known for harvesting some of the nations top leaders at all levels. Why? Because our school does not say “Oh they have Aggie Football and personal emergencies or they have society working against them and they need to have more of a work-free life.” Texas A&M says they have life, personal issues, setbacks, financial difficulties and yet, to help them develop into hopeful individuals we will not change the required work that will be done per course and per section. And thus, we as students struggle and we don’t quit, no matter what. Students “Go, Fight and Win,” through semesters and rigorous coursework in all sections as high achievers. I have other friends at other universities and I know for a fact they have one third, if that, of the work we as Aggies have per course. So our struggle, whatever it may be for each student, brings about hope and the hopefulness that we can do anything we set our minds to.” I loved when Dr. Brown closes the book discussing hope. I believe in my faith in God. As a Christian, we believe faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. In the end, as Dr. Brown hints at this truth, all we can do is do the work and hope that our endeavors will turn out well, even when it comes to our precious lineage, our children.

Daring Greatly: About

The book connects to each of the 7 core competencies listed on our competency sheet and our MTL mindsets. Our 7 competencies are Communication, Critically Thinking, the ability to Manage People and Projects, Working with Others, Leading, Create Opportunities, and to Act Ethically. An entire study could be initiated on the association of our 7 competencies and vulnerability. As we examine the book and the discussion of vulnerability, I began to see vulnerability as the foundation which every aspect of our lives are built upon.

The message in the book has encouraged me to dig deeper into the power of vulnerability and/or the lack thereof. The book has contributed to my growth as an educator, business person but atop all other aspects, it has attributed to me being a better communicator. As I read the book, I was able to reflect and pair the knowledge of what the book offered to many instances in life where there was just an impasse between another person and myself. It was not the person's fault nor no fault of my own. The root of the matter, on each occasion, was that both parties were operating from a place of shielding. If each party is shielding and blocking and hindering communication, communication becomes interrupted and cannot commence. Multiple breakdowns in communication cause for a stalemate and reversion in communicating. Without communication, all that exists is two silent vessels. So at the root of my life, this book was able to enlighten me on ways to ensure successful communication with all parties I interact with.

Daring Greatly: About

I disagreed with Chapter 4 when “Floodlighting” was introduced and discussed. Here was my immediate rant to my professor “Well, Bailey, I have to tell you, we may have to talk. I could not develop a formal opening to the email in such haste to email you. I have managed to accept all our book has to offer, however (lol) I do feel a bit tossed and kicked around and even picked on for no reason when the topic of “Floodlighting” came up. I feel like none of the reasons listed are reasons I overshare. I share because I feel like sharing or ok to share or that the information I’m sharing is information that is necessary. Please advise where I fall within the realms of this form of shielding...lol! I reread and reread the portion of our reading to determine if the reasons listed are the reasons I overshare. I meet people and may only have one opportunity to help them, in whatever caliber that’s necessary at the time. Could my oversharing simply be a characteristic of my strength (Historian)? I want people to understand whatever the issue is from the beginning to an end or to whatever resolution we are discussing or seeking. I feel lost and dismembered...lol!” Her general reply was that it depends on the context in which “Floodlighting” is used. She added other important points, all which would have been helpful for the author to expound upon and explain in greater depths.

Daring Greatly: About

Prior to completing reading the book, I had already sent out emails and made phone calls to friends to highly recommended adding this book to their reading list. I also plan to incorporate this book into every aspect of my life. I feel this book applies in religious settings, to the rearing of my Children and most importantly applying this book to my life as a writer. I have already planned to reread the book and really dig deeper into the research and information provided by Dr. Brown. This book is my new “Reference to life.” I feel the book is a useful guide because the book expounds upon key themes that underline self-motivation and self-help useful knowledge such as: defeating one's fears, overcoming shame and dismantling our subconscious use of various forms of “armor.”

I am an “Application” person. When I read or learn a lesson about something new which has the possibility to change my life, for the better, I immediately apply this to my life. I have a close friend whom I speak to on a daily basis. He and I have had very deep conversations about the text and how it applies to life. He is a very open person, which is different with him being a male. Therefore, the things we discuss from the book proves very insightful and significant because I am able to get his view from the male standpoint.

As a recommendation from our Professor, I will be reading “Rising Strong” by Dr. Brown. As a response to one of my “rants” to Bailey, gave her insight that this book would “speak to me on a deep level.” I trust Bailey recommendation as she had knowledge and observations, in regards to each student progress and “where we are in life” in connection to us learning to be a transformational leader.

Daring Greatly: About