Brené Brown

Professor and author, 1965-present

Brené Brown, an author and research professor at the University of Houston, is best known for her work on vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. Her perspective on innovation is rooted in the idea that creativity and progress cannot thrive without a willingness to be vulnerable. Brown argues that innovation requires stepping into uncertainty, taking risks, and exposing oneself to potential failure. For her, vulnerability is not weakness but the birthplace of creativity and change. She emphasizes that organizations and individuals who embrace vulnerability are more likely to foster environments where innovative thinking can flourish. 

Her perspective on innovation is captured in this statement she shared at TEDxHouston in 2010: “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”

Brown also highlights the importance of courage and authenticity in driving innovation. She believes that leaders who create a culture of psychological safety—where people feel free to share bold ideas, admit mistakes, and ask difficult questions—unlock the true potential of their teams. In her view, innovation is not simply about generating new ideas, but about cultivating trust, empathy, and connection so those ideas can be tested and implemented. By framing vulnerability as a strength, Brown reframes innovation as both a deeply human and collaborative process.