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Brené Brown is a world-renowned researcher and author, known for her work on vulnerability, courage, and what makes truly effective leaders. She has spent decades studying human behaviour, uncovering how fear, connection, and self-awareness shape performance at the highest level. In this episode, Brené sits down with Jake and Damian to explore the difference between safe and unsafe leadership, and how fear quietly drives decisions at work and at home. She explains why the best leaders don’t avoid vulnerability, but use it to build trust, clarity, and stronger teams. Brené also tackles the reality of communication, why hard conversations are a skill that must be learned, and why real transformation takes time, not quick fixes. In a world increasingly driven by AI and surface-level connection, she makes the case for deeper human connection as the true driver of growth and performance. Subscribe to Brené’s podcast ‘The Curiosity Shop’ on YouTube or your favorite app for new episodes every Thursday. John Cacioppo's TedTalk Brene references: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0hxl03JoA0 Partners 🚨 Brené’s latest book ‘Strong Ground’ is available now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Ground-Leadership-Tenacity-Vermilion/dp/178504320X Bon Charge 👉 Full recovery equals peak performance. Sleep deeper, feel stronger, and power through your day. Use code HP15 for 15% off. Click here: https://highpfrmc.com/boncharge-yt-hpp Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_yt3 Irwin Mitchell 👉 Speak to one of Irwin Mitchell’s legal experts today https://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal XERO 👉 Get Making Tax Digital ready with 90% off Xero for 6 months. Just visit xero.com/HighPerformance. Terms Apply 🚨 Partners HP Foundation 👉 Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners #highperformance #brenebrown #liverpool #leadership #recruitment Chapters 📕 00:00 Lose your armour 09:49 Recruitment masterclass 19:53 Loneliness & vulnerability 25:59 The first step 30:24 Why vulnerability hurts 38:57 Brene’s armour 40:54 Dismantling privilege 47:10 Feedback masterclass 53:44 Elite sportspeople 56:10 The messy middle 1:00:35 Watch this moment… 1:03:49 Tomb vs womb 1:08:31 Liverpool 1:14:32 Steven Gerrard SURPRISES Brene 1:17:26 Quickfire questions 1:19:14 Final thoughts