Cool is the emotional straightjacket. It makes us less available for connection which makes us less equipped for leadership roles.

We live in a world where most people still subscribe to the belief that shame is a good tool for keeping people in line. Not only is this wrong, but it’s dangerous. Shame is highly correlated with addiction, violence, aggression, depression, eating disorders, and bullying.

That's what life is about: about daring greatly, about being in the arena.

All the stuff that keeps you safe from feeling scary emotions? They also keep you from feeling the good emotions. You have to shake those off. You have to become vulnerable.

Talk about your failures without apologizing.

Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.

When we're defined by what people think we lose the courage to be vulnerable.