We all have moments when the ground beneath us feels unstable — a hard conversation, a leadership setback, a relationship rupture, an unexpected loss. Brené Brown’s book, Strong Ground, reminds us that stability isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we build.
Strong ground isn’t perfection. It isn’t confidence. It isn’t fearlessness. Strong ground is the place inside us where courage, clarity, boundaries, and self-compassion come together — creating the kind of foundation we can stand on no matter what life throws at us. This book is an invitation to strengthen the ground beneath your feet — one truth, one choice, one courageous step at a time. Brene says it simply:

“You can’t rise to the occasion if you’re standing on shaky ground.”

1 | Courage Over Comfort
Brené’s research is clear: people who thrive don’t seek comfort — they seek courage.
They choose conversations that matter. They choose truth over harmony. They choose growth over ease.

• Key Insight:“Comfort never builds strength. Courage always does.”
• Ask: Where are you avoiding what you know must be said or done?

2 | Clarity Is Kindness
Misunderstandings, assumptions, and half-truths erode trust. Clarity — even when it’s awkward — creates strong ground between people.

• Key Insight: “Unclear expectations are seeds for resentment.”
• Church/Leadership Insight: Teams suffer not because people are bad but because expectations are unspoken.

3 | Boundaries Are Bridges, Not Walls
People often think boundaries push others away.
But Brené shows the opposite: strong boundaries create safety, honesty, and deeper connection.

• Key Insight: “The most compassionate people are the most boundaried people.”
• "Boundaries create the ground where trust grows."

4 | Emotional Literacy Builds Strength
We stand stronger when we can name what we feel.
Research participants who thrive are skilled at identifying emotions in real time.

• Key Insight: “We can’t transform what we can’t name.”
• When leaders can language their inner world, they can navigate any outer world.

5 | Self-Compassion Is a Superpower
Shame weakens us.
Self-compassion strengthens us.
It anchors our identity when the world feels shaky.
Key Insight:
“We can’t give the world what we refuse to give ourselves.”
When our inner critic softens, courage gets louder.

6 | Strong Ground Is Built Together
We become stronger not by isolating but by staying vulnerable and connected.

• Key Insight: “We are hardwired for connection, not perfection.”

1 | Name the Hard Thing You’re Avoiding

• Write down: “What conversation or decision am I postponing — and why?”
• Take one courageous step this week.

2 | Clarify Expectations
Pick one relationship (team, family, ministry) and clarify:

• “What do you need from me?”
• “What does success look like?”
• “When will we measure progress?”

3 | Set One Life-Giving Boundary
Use Brené’s sentence stem:

• “I’m not available for _________.”

4 | Practice the Three Steps of Self-Compassion

• Notice suffering
• Normalize it (“This is part of being human”)
• Offer kindness (“May I be gentle with myself right now”)

5 | Build Your Emotional Vocabulary

• List your top 5 “go-to” emotions — and expand the list with more precise words.
• List what triggers your emotions and how you typically respond to them

CLOSING THOUGHT
“Strength isn’t what you build for others. It’s what you build within yourself.”
Strong ground isn’t built overnight — it’s built daily. It’s built by choosing courage in moments that matter.

• By telling the truth.
• By honoring your boundaries.
• By speaking clearly.
• By being gentle with yourself.

“Your life becomes unshakable the moment you decide to stop abandoning yourself.”
Stand your ground. Strengthen it. And trust that you are already stronger than you think.