I think some leaders are fearful that vulnerability is perceived as weakness. This isn’t surprising, given the very definition of vulnerable is “susceptible to attack or harm.” As leaders, we want to demonstrate strength, conviction, and confidence. In a way, we want to seem impervious to the challenges and trials that come our way.
However, modern leadership is showing us how valuable vulnerability can be in the effectiveness of your leadership abilities.
The Problem With Your Invulnerability
There are plenty of problems with the veneer of invulnerability. On a personal, internal level, a sense of being untouchable can cause you to become overconfident. You’ll lose sight of your blind spots and the things that cause risk exposure. They say that pride goes before the fall, and they’re not wrong.
However, I think that, for the most part, leaders know and recognize their own vulnerability — they just don’t share it. When you put on that image of invulnerability, you alienate yourself from your team, who, like you, experiences their own feelings of inadequacy. If you present an image of pure confident perfection, people are less likely to engage with you in a real, earnest way.
That’s because if you are seen as “above” vulnerability, mistakes, anxiety, or uncertainty, you will be unable to truly relate to your team and audience. As a result, your leadership becomes surface-level, ineffective, and disingenuous.
How A Little Vulnerability Impacts Leadership
It Makes Your Experience Meaningful
Vulnerability doesn’t mean that you spill all of your deepest darkest secrets. What it does mean is a that you have a willingness to be honest about your struggles, shortcomings, and uncertainties. It’s transparency! What this does is allow your team and your audience to see the full picture of your journey. It removes any thought that you are an overnight success, that you’ve never struggled. It means that people see and can be inspired by the real you. Not just a marketed image designed to get what you want from others.
People are inherently mistrustful of a picture of perfection — and they should be! What your vulnerability lends is a dose of reality — something that makes your journey and your leadership all the more effective.
It Means You Own Your Mistakes
One of the biggest indicators of poor leadership is a lack of accountability. When leaders deny, deflect, or assign blame for their own shortcomings, it leads to resentment and dissatisfaction. Great leaders are willing to admit where they go wrong. They take ownership of their errors and are willing to be open, honest, and yes — vulnerable — about them. This, in turn, means that your team, your employees, your audience — can trust you to be a person of integrity and responsibility. It shows that you’re not just concerned about maintaining a reputation, but in being relational and growth-oriented.
It Checks Your Ego at the Door
Great leadership demands no small measure of humility. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and honest means that you’re able to keep your ego in check. You don’t hold any delusions about perfection! You recognize and share where you have room to grow. Because you’re aware and honest about the areas you need to work on, the struggles you’ve been through, and the mistakes you’ve made, you’re able to have a clearer picture of where you need personal growth. You never make the mistake of believing you’re done growing or learning. Instead, vulnerability brings a sense of humility and self that benefits both your personal life and performance, but those around you as well.
It Encourages Collaboration and Loyalty
Those of us who pretend to be invulnerable are often left trying (and failing) to do it all on our own. Vulnerability, on the other hand, recognizes that you need other people. Because of this, your team feels needed and valued by you. It’s essential in fostering team satisfaction, longevity, and yes, loyalty!
A willingness to be vulnerable is a willingness to deepen and strengthen relationships. It is key in building long-term, sustainable teams. Be vulnerable. It’s not a weakness — if anything, it can be one of your greatest strengths in leadership.
How have you experienced vulnerability as a leader? Share how it impacted your role and relationships.