Vulnerability has become yet another buzzword in the business leadership vernacular. Like its contemporaries, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership, it has merit conceptually, but its value is often misunderstood and underestimated.
Many perceive vulnerability as a sign of weakness, but when approached with self-awareness, confidence, and good judgment, it becomes a powerful tool for personal growth and professional effectiveness. We can harness its potential to build stronger connections, drive greater productivity, foster innovation, and create resilient organizations.
Self-awareness: Laying the groundwork for vulnerability
“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom” – Socrates
The foundation of adaptable leadership is self-awareness. It’s the differentiator between being vulnerably weak and vulnerably strong. Vulnerable leaders who lack this self-awareness (and the discipline to make important improvements) can come across as soft, weak, and negative. A vulnerably strong leader, however, recognizes their limitations and strengths and adjusts their interactions accordingly. They are comfortable in their own skin, seek candid feedback, and are driven to create change.
When we are self-aware, we can identify our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to make informed decisions and take responsibility for our actions. We are freer to focus on the bigger picture and build talented teams that make us better.
Confidence: Creating security for vulnerability
Confidence is a critical component of successful leadership. It allows us to embrace our vulnerability without fear of judgment or failure. When we are confident in our abilities and value, we can openly share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences—even when they reveal our imperfections.
Confidence also enables us to take risks and explore new possibilities. By stepping out of our comfort zones, we create more opportunities to discover innovative solutions and drive positive change. This willingness to be confidently vulnerable creates resilience in both individuals and organizations.
Judgement: Cultivating discernment for vulnerability
Judgment is the equally essential 3rd leg of the stool. It plays a critical role in deciding when and in what ways to be vulnerable. A good leader must use situational awareness and weigh the potential benefits of openness against the risks of doing so. Evaluating the context (the right moment, the right environment, the audience) is key to knowing if what is shared will build credibility and relationships or have negative consequences. What goes into judgment, and protocols for improving one’s judgment are fodder for a whole other article. Stay tuned for that.
The Power of Self-Awareness, Confidence, and Judgement
When self-awareness, confidence, and judgment are combined, they create the ideal of leading with authenticity and vulnerability. Leaders can:
- Build Authentic Connections: By being open and honest about our gaps or non-talents (it’s only a weakness if the situation demands that skill), we foster trust and empathy, which are essential for effective communication and collaboration. These allow us to establish deeper, more meaningful relationships with others.
- Promote Psychological Safety: In environments where candor and openness are embraced, individuals feel safe to express their ideas and concerns without fear of ridicule or retribution. This psychological safety encourages open dialogue, innovation, and constructive challenge, enabling teams to address issues proactively and find innovative solutions.
- Enhance Leadership: Leaders who demonstrate self-awareness and confidence set a powerful example for their teams. They create a culture of transparency and accountability, inspiring others to follow suit and take ownership of their actions. They avoid unwanted surprises and encourage an environment of ownership and accountability.
- Drive Continuous Improvement: By acknowledging our weaknesses and seeking feedback, we can identify areas for growth and development. This commitment to continuous improvement fosters a culture of learning and adaptability, which is vital for long-term success.
5 Practical Strategies for Embracing Vulnerability
To build these business-critical leadership practices, individuals and organizations can implement the following strategies and some examples of effective practices:
- Develop Self-Reflective Practices: Engage in regular self-reflection through journaling, meditation, or mindfulness exercises. These practices can help you gain insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, fostering greater self-awareness. A side benefit of these practices often leads to significant improvements in stress management and decision quality.
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Practices – daily journaling, mindfulness exercises
• - Seek Constructive Feedback: Candid feedback is essential for a winning culture. Actively seek feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors to identify areas for improvement. Approach feedback with an open mind and use it as an opportunity for growth. Sometimes the feedback is a painful gift, but it’s a gift nonetheless. Others see and interpret your behaviors; you have a brand; it’s only the confident and open leader that lets in on that secret.
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Practices– 360 feedback, coaching, 1×1 feedback sessions
• - Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities for learning and development. Encourage yourself and others to take risks and explore new possibilities. If you’re never wrong or make mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough or you’re lacking self-awareness.
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Practices– take on projects that are outside of your expertise and/or comfort zone. After Action Review – learn from setbacks, identify lessons learned, and share these insights with others.
• - Create Supportive Environments: Foster a culture of psychological safety by encouraging open dialogue and showing empathy towards others. Celebrate the successes and failures of your team and use them as learning experiences. This doesn’t mean sugarcoating things or giving verbal participation trophies with unearned praise. It means sharing and inviting feedback in ways that can drive positive change.
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Practices– practice active listening skills, and create safe spaces for open dialogue.
• - Lead by Example: As a leader, demonstrate vulnerability by sharing your own experiences and challenges. Show that it is okay to make mistakes and that learning from them is a valuable part of growth.
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Practices– share personal experiences that shaped who you are. Encourage others to share their strengths and non-talents.
And so….
Vulnerability, when approached with self-awareness, confidence, and judgment, becomes a powerful asset in personal and professional development. By embracing vulnerability, we can build authentic connections, promote psychological safety, enhance leadership, and drive meaningful change. In a world that seems to bounce between valuing perfection and excuses for non-performance, it is useful to recognize the strength in being vulnerable and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and organizations alike.
This is a collaboration by Matt Fangman (www.mattfangman.com), design strategist and Dr. Aaron Shaffer (www.shafferpsychological.com) Industrial/Organizational Psychology consultant.
Article originally published on LinkedIn.