In general terms, the word vulnerability tends to have a negative connotation because it’s normally associated with being submissive or weak, open to becoming wounded. Yet for leaders, vulnerability is key to really engaging others in the process of team building, by replacing the expected “be professional and keep the distance” status quo, with the willingness to welcome a degree of risk, uncertainty, and emotional authenticity.
A fantastic researcher on the topic of human connections is the American professor Dr. Brené Brown. Throughout her 10-year research she determined that vulnerability creates the fiber of social connection. From a leadership standpoint, Dr. Brown states that being a vulnerable leader means being okay with uncertainty while “holding the space” within an organization.
Being in a leadership role, doesn’t make you any less human than the members of the team you’ve been entrusted to lead. The willingness to be vulnerable allows leaders to have compassion with themselves, as well as with others. Because of their authenticity, they are able to create connections, as they are willing to let go of the preconceived idea of who they needed to be, in order to become who they truly are, and that is key because any team can measure if the leader’s intentions are true or not, based on their behavior.
As leaders we take risks, sometimes they pay off, sometimes they don’t. A vulnerable leader handles both outcomes with confidence and courage.
When should a leader show vulnerability?
There’s a fine line that needs to be defined, because being in a leadership role brings with it a great deal of visibility, so keep in mind that there’s a time and a place for everything.
In her talks, Dr. Brown shares some of the following examples:
- Calling an employee or colleague to check up on their child who is sick
- Reaching out to someone who has just experienced a recent loss in the family
- Asking a colleague for help
- Taking responsibility for something that went wrong at work
- Asking your team for feedback on your strengths and weaknesses so that you can improve your leadership
“A leader, first and foremost, is a human. Only when we have the strength to show our vulnerability can we truly lead”
Simon Sinek
I highly recommend watching Dr. Brown’s TEDTalk, titled “The Power of Vulnerability” not only the information is golden, but her story-telling style is engaging and fun! I hope you enjoy it and benefit from it, as much as I did.
Thanks for reading and God bless,
Maria
