The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown: five stars!

I read The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown with a group of dear friends, and we met weekly (usually) to discuss and share insights. What a rich, meaningful, fun, and heartwarming experience! The book is all about a journey toward wholehearted living. It’s filled with fun personal anecdotes, wisdom gleaned from careful research, humor, and a touch of irreverence. 🙂 She peppers the book with carefully crafted definitions that really get you thinking. Strongly recommend!

Book overview:

For more than ten years, Brené Brown has held a cherished place in our lives as both a skilled guide and a fellow traveler on the journey of self-discovery. As a social scientist with a trusted, down-to-earth voice, she has a way of speaking truth, bringing laughter, and sometimes even sharing in our tears. What has now become a widespread movement began with The Gifts of Imperfection, a book that has reached millions, selling over two million copies in thirty-five languages worldwide.

What makes this book more than just words on a page are the ten guideposts for wholehearted living. These guideposts not only illuminate the practices that can transform our lives and relationships but also help us recognize and move past the unrealistic expectations that hold us back.

Brené describes the book as an invitation to join a wholehearted revolution—a quiet but powerful grassroots movement that begins with each of us embracing the belief, “My story matters because I matter.” She acknowledges that calling it a revolution may seem bold, but in a world where authenticity and self-worth are often challenged, choosing them is a radical act of defiance.

Thoughts on The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Perhaps this book has meant so much to me because the ten guideposts are all built around a CULTIVATE theme, and CULTIVATE is my word of the year. Perhaps it was because I shared the reading experience with dear friends. In any case, I heartily enjoyed it. I read the tenth anniversary edition. The front matter, including the preface and introduction, is worth your time as well.

Dr. Brown takes a personal approach with this book. She shares from her heart. She offers examples from her personal life that beautifully illustrate her points. This makes the book very engaging. At times, I felt like I could just continue the conversation with her. Everything is relatable and well explained.

Dr. Brown begins the book with an insightful discussion about courage, compassion, and connection. She talks about their roles in wholehearted living. She also spends time highlighting some barriers to wholehearted living. Talk about spot-on!! I could see myself in several of her descriptions. It seems we all get tripped up on some of the same things. This is one reason I recommend reading the book with a friend–there will be many things you want to discuss.

At the end of each guidepost, Brené offers a “DIG DEEP” section. There are three parts: Get Deliberate, Get Inspired, and Get Going. I appreciated all of the tips, practical ideas, and encouragement found here. So valuable!

I found inspiration and wisdom in each guidepost. Her take on cultivating creativity was completely unexpected and so meaningful for me. Likewise, her thoughts on cultivating self-compassion provided a challenge. She emphasizes that it is in embracing our shortcomings that we find the most courage, compassion, and connection. Perfectionism is destructive, and yet it entraps us. According to the “wholehearted inventory” I took on her website before reading the book, I need the most growth in letting go of:

• what people think,
• being cool and “always in control,” and
• self doubt and “supposed to.”

Those translate to cultivating authenticity; laughter, song, and dance; and meaningful work. What a challenge!

A little about Brené Brown

Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she holds an endowed chair in the Graduate College of Social Work. She also serves as a visiting professor of management at the University of Texas at Austin.

For more than 20 years, Brené has explored topics like courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She’s written six books that hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and hosts two popular podcasts: Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead.

Her books (translated into over 30 languages) include Atlas of the Heart, Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection. She also co-edited You Are Your Best Thing with Tarana Burke, a powerful anthology centered on vulnerability and the Black experience.

Brené’s TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, is one of the most-watched TED Talks ever, with more than 60 million views. She works with organizations globally to cultivate bold leadership and strengthen workplace culture. In 2024, she became executive director of The Center for Daring Leadership at BetterUp.

She lives in Houston with her husband, Steve, their two kids, Ellen and Charlie, and a quirky Bichon named Lucy.

I strongly recommend The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown!

Does it sound like something you’d like to read? Do you have recommendations of books that have resonated with you? Please comment below with your thoughts!

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Fondly,

Crysti