Chapter 1: Scarcity - Looking Inside Our Culture of "Never Enough"

1. Do you feel you are constantly comparing yourself to others at work? Do you find yourself thinking you’re not good enough, successful enough, or talented enough in your job?
Many people often find themselves caught in the cycle of comparing their work or achievements to those of others. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and wondering if they measure up to expectations—both their own and those of their colleagues or supervisors. Even when doing their best, they may feel “not enough,” which reflects the culture Brené Brown describes. This mindset can quietly undermine confidence and add extra pressure to already full plates.

2. How does this “not enough” feeling impact your willingness to step outside your comfort zone at work? Do you think the “never enough” feeling can impact team dynamics?
When the feeling of “not enough” takes hold, it can make stepping into new or challenging situations feel risky or intimidating. People might hold back ideas, avoid asking for help, or hesitate to take on leadership roles, worrying they won’t be successful. This can limit personal growth and stifle innovation. For teams, this scarcity mindset can create competition and mistrust instead of connection and collaboration—making it harder to work together effectively and support one another through challenges.

3. Do you think that the scarcity mindset may influence MOQC providers/practices and in turn possibly affect patients? Can you think of ways MOQC can/does help our practices overcome feelings of “never enough”?
For MOQC providers, the scarcity mindset can be very real—whether from feeling limited by time, resources, or high expectations. This can cause providers to feel they’re never doing enough for their patients, which can lead to stress or burnout and affect patient care. Yet, MOQC offers a powerful way to shift this mindset by fostering a culture of support, shared learning, and growth without blame. By encouraging openness and connection, MOQC helps providers move toward what Brené Brown calls “Wholeheartedness,” allowing them to feel more valued and empowered. This ultimately supports better care for patients and a healthier work environment.

@srayford I love that you pulled the idea of "never enough" into the effect on supporting others. I think it's interesting how, when we're feeling vulnerable or wounded, we lose our ability to effectively be there for the people we love.

I noticed that this discussion starts on Chapter 1 but I didn't get pass the first paragraph on page 2 of the preface. The first page replays one of my favorite passages, a passage from Teddy Roosevelt's speech known as "The Man in the Mirror," which is the standard for many athletes my age.  I added "my age" after some thought. I identify with the man in the arena. So when I turned the page and the author writes "this is vulnerability" my first reaction was "WHAAAAT??!!" Who's vulnerable, the man in the arena? Now after much thought and talking to my wife, brother and friends, I'd like to ask a question before I can go on, the person who is defining the man as vulnerable is a spectator, not the man himself, correct?

@markharr1 It's such a great speech, The Man in the Arena, such a powerful statement about strength and grit. I think your reaction is complete valid. As a reader, you're a a part of the passage so your interpretation carries as much weight as anyone else's. When I read it, I read it as the author connecting the man in the arena to vulnerability in a way that highlights his strength. She's seeing the courage it takes to show up, risk failure, and be seen by all of those spectators watching, including the critic. It's not about being week, it's about being strong enough to know that failure is an option and being willing to stand and fight anyway.