INBOUND 2017 kickstarted on Monday and there could have been no better keynote speaker for this day than Brene Brown. Why? Because she brings with her a tremendous force of positivity that feels like the beginning of all good things to come.
As always, excitement for her session was running high:
Waiting on @BreneBrown brown like… @HubSpot #inbound17 with @alisonleishman @SimplySarahSA pic.twitter.com/VwQOg2baxk
— Lisa (@LisaLeigh_) September 25, 2017
Brene Brown’s INBOUND17 keynote was all about being vulnerable, earning trust, believing in your self-worth, and finding a sense of belonging. One of the powerful quotes for the evening, by Maya Angelou, that stood out for the audience was:
“You are only free when you realize you belong no place – you belong everywhere – no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great.”
Opening night of #INBOUND2017 @HubSpot @BreneBrown. An incredible keynote on belonging inspired by the amazing Maya ? pic.twitter.com/B2NHD3JRco
— Lisa Morton (@lisam2301) September 26, 2017
We’ve all had those times when we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders and stubbornly believe that the burden is all ours to carry. We hesitate to ask for help, refuse to be vulnerable. And that is exactly where Brene Brown calls our bluff:
"The most trust-earning behavior people do at work is asking for help. Number two is showing up at a funeral." – @BreneBrown #INBOUND17
— INBOUND Event (@INBOUND) September 25, 2017
She reiterates that asking for help does not make us weak. That vulnerability and imperfections are not to be shunned but accepted. And that is possible only when we accept who we are, with pride.
"Self-acceptance…Believing that you're enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect."
– Brene Brown pic.twitter.com/MggZnEhM3J— Hulisani Ravele (@HulisaniRavele) September 26, 2017
And that self-acceptance comes only when we stop looking for reasons to doubt ourselves.
"If you set out in the world looking for evidence that you’re not enough, you’re always going to find it." – @BreneBrown #INBOUND17
— INBOUND Event (@INBOUND) September 25, 2017
There were, of course, references to the current political climate and the need to take a stand for what is right:
It doesn’t matter what side of politics you are on. The bigger question is what side of HUMANITY are you on? @BreneBrown #inbound17 #PREACH
— Rachel Mann (@rachelizmann) September 25, 2017
To sum up, Brene Brown’s INBOUND17 session was one that lifted the spirits and re-affirmed your belief in yourself. In other words, totally worth it!
Almost threw in the towel on @INBOUND after a LONG flight delay. Your talk was worth the extra airport time- thank you!
— Tara Gladwell (@taragladwell) September 26, 2017
This is just the beginning. Like the past two years, this year too we are pulling off a remote coverage on INBOUND 17. Stay tuned for all our session recaps, insights, and sketches over the week, and check out coverage to find all things INBOUND17.
Our Knowiz team is also at INBOUND17 this year. Let’s grab some coffee together and discuss agency growth when you’ve got a minute.
