In her new book Strong Ground, Brené Brown argues that leaders deliver their best work not by projecting certainty, but by staying grounded: engaging with courage, clarity, and compassion even as conditions shift around them. In a series of conversations about the book’s core ideas (listen here and here), Brown and Wharton organizational psychologist Adam Grant explore how this grounded stance enables leaders to think more clearly, act more effectively, and stay connected to their teams under pressure. Grant extends Brown’s framework with insights from his research on curiosity, learning mindsets, and the value of admitting what we don’t yet know. Together, they offer a practical path for replacing performative toughness with grounded confidence — helping leaders navigate uncertainty while still delivering for their organizations.
