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What we know matters but who we are matters more.
Bren Brown
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Our identity and character are more important than our knowledge and skills.

This quote emphasizes the significance of personal virtues and character in shaping who we are, suggesting that while knowledge is important, it is our essence and values that define our impact on the world and our relationships with others. BrenΓ© Brown highlights that authenticity, connection, and empathy are what truly matter in the broader scope of life.

Themes

IdentityCharacterAuthenticityKnowledgeValues

In practice

Example use cases

During a leadership seminar, you might say this quote to emphasize the importance of character over mere professional competence.

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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.
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Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it's the thing that's really preventing us from taking flight.
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Social media has given us this idea that we should all have a posse of friends when in reality, if we have one or two really good friends, we are lucky.
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Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.
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Nostalgia is also a dangerous form of comparison. Think about how often we compare our lives to a memory that nostalgia has so completely edited that it never really existed.
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