Over the last few weeks, I’ve been on a documentary binge…and no, not the latest hit dramas! Instead, I’ve been watching several developmental documentaries focused on leadership, psychology, and human behaviour.
One that truly stood out was from Dr Brené Brown, the New York Times bestselling author, vulnerability researcher, and academic. I’ve long been a fan of her work, especially since her ground breaking TED talk on the power of vulnerability, which is one of the most viewed TED talks of all time (over 60 million views worldwide). Her research has shaped how organisations think about leadership, culture, and courage.
If you haven’t seen that TED talk yet, stop what you’re doing and watch it. It’s that impactful.
But back to Netflix. The special I’m referring to is Brené Brown: The Call to Courage (2019), where she shares profound leadership lessons based on years of research and as leadership research continues to evolve, her core messages have only grown more relevant.
Today, we’ll explore those lessons and update them with newer insights and research from the last few years.
Lessons from Brené Brown on Leadership but reframed for today
1. Great Leaders Truly Connect
Connection isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s essential. Research continues to show that humans are wired for connection. In fact, studies link a strong sense of belonging in the workplace with 25% higher job performance, 50% lower turnover risk, and 64% higher engagement.
Brené emphasises that real connection requires presence, showing up with your whole self and listening.
So, what does that look like in practice?
- Active listening - not just hearing words, but understanding context and emotion.
- Psychological safety - creating environments where people feel safe to voice views without fear of ridicule. Psychology professor Amy Edmondson’s research shows that teams with high psychological safety out perform others because they’re not afraid to take risks or ask questions.
So what’s the modern takeaway:
Don’t just ask, “How’s it going?”. Ask, “What’s going well?” and “What’s getting in your way?”. Then act on what you learn.
2. Courage Is Not Optional, It’s Foundational
Brené defines courage from the Latin cor, meaning “heart”, implying not absence of fear, but choosing authenticity despite it.
Leadership research increasingly supports this. A 2024 global leadership survey found that courageous leadership, defined asmaking tough calls, owning uncertainty, and prioritising ethics, was the number 1 predictor of employee trust and organisational resilience.
Courageous leadership includes:
- Speaking truth, especially when it’s uncomfortable.
- Addressing poor performance promptly, instead of avoiding the conversation.
- Admitting what you don’t know, which research shows strengthens credibility rather than weakens it.
So what’s the modern takeaway:
Employees today judge leaders less on how polished they are and more on how real they are. Transparency isn’t a vulnerability, it’s aleadership edge.
3. Vulnerability Is Strength, Not Weakness
When Brené first introduced vulnerability into leadership conversations, some were sceptical. But vulnerability is now widely recognisedas a core leadership competency.
Here’s what current research shows:
Teams led by leaders who model vulnerability and empathy report higher psychological safety and greater innovation.
Vulnerable leadership is linked with stronger team performance, better collaboration, and improved wellbeing.
Vulnerability isn’t about oversharing personal issues, it’s about clarity of intention, transparency of expectations, and humility in uncertainty.
So what’s the modern takeaway:
Vulnerability isn’t an emotional spill, it’s a strategic leadership behaviour that builds trust and fuels engagement.
Why This Matters More Today
The workforce continues to evolve.
Generational dynamics now include Gen Z entering senior roles, bringing new expectations for authenticity and purpose-driven work.
Remote and hybrid work, which has grown significantly post-2020, demands leaders who can connect across distance, maintain trust without physical presence, and support wellbeing.
Mental health at work is no longer optional, 90% of employees say mental health support influences where they work.
Leadership today isn’t about titles or visibility, it’s about relational quality, emotional intelligence, and shared humanity.
What To Do Next
If you haven’t yet explored Brené Brown’s work, now’s a great time. Her books; Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, and Atlas of the Heart, each dive deeper into courage, belonging, and emotional literacy.
Her website, BrenéBrown.com, remains a rich resource with articles, research summaries, and tools you can use.
Conclusion
So, to recap, the leadership lessons that stand the test of time:
- Leaders who connect build trust and engagement.
- Leaders with courage inspire confidence and accountability.
- Leaders who are vulnerable create stronger, more adaptive teams.
These aren’t buzzwords, they’re evidence-based behaviours backed by ongoing research.
Thanks for listening, stay curious, stay brave, and most of all, lead with heart.
The Excel Team
