Brené Brown’s new book updates some of her work on daring leadership, and includes excerpts from others’ work (including Adam Grant, Ginny Clarke, Amy Webb, Sarah Lewis, Dan Pink, Aiko Bethea, and Abby Wambach) relating to the two main themes: (1) the role paradoxical thinking plays in understanding ourselves, the people around us, and the complex environments in which we work; and (2) a yearning for more humanity within us and between us.
Strong Ground is written in Brown’s signature style, with personal anecdotes intermingled with research data, and lots of humour. If you have read Brown’s past work, a lot of the content will be familiar to you; she includes lengthy extracts from her past books. I found this book a little frenetic as it jumped between Brown’s own writing and the other contributors. Some contributors’ work was summarised, others’ presented as transcribed conversations with Brown.
The book includes a wealth of useful information and insights on a range of topics, especially the importance of strong, grounded leadership in uncertain times, and acknowledging the challenges of complexity, contradictory demands and paradox. However, much of the content is found in Brown’s earlier work and that of the various contributors and I felt the book lacked a strong structure. It felt like a wander around the author’s mind and a collection of extracts loosely curated into themes. At times it resembled an extended infomercial for her Dare to Lead programs.