What we know matters but who we are matters more.

— Brené Brown

When I look at narcissism through the vulnerability lens, I see the shame-based fear of being ordinary. I see the fear of never feeling extraordinary enough to be noticed, to be lovable, to belong, or to cultivate a sense of purpose.

— Brené Brown

When shame becomes a management style, engagement dies. When failure is not an option we can forget about learning, creativity, and innovation.

— Brené Brown

When unconscious storytelling becomes out default, we often keep tripping over the same issue, staying down when we fall, and having different versions of the same problem in our relationships--we've got the story on repeat. Burton explains that our brains like predictable storytelling. He writes, "In effect, well-oiled patterns of observation encourage our brains to compose a story that we expect to hear.

— Brené Brown

When we are experience shame we are often thrown into crisis mode... In this mode, the neocortex is bypassed and our access to advanced, rational, calm thinking and processing of emotion all but disappears...we find ourselves becoming aggressive, wanting to run and hide and feeling paralyzed...

— Brené Brown

When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice.

— Brené Brown

When you judge yourself for needing help, you judge those you are helping. When you attach value to giving help, you attach value to needing help.

— Brené Brown

When you judge yourself for needing help, you judge those you are helping. When you attach value to giving help, you attach value to needing help. The danger of tying your self-worth to being a helper is feeling shame when you have to ask for help. Offering help is courageous and compassionate, but so is asking for help.

— Brené Brown

When you look away from a homeless person, you diminish their humanity and your own.

— Brené Brown

When you shut down vulnerability, you shut down opportunity

— Brené Brown