The Amazing Benefits and Impact of Vulnerability at Work

One of the most powerful drivers of human purpose and happiness is meaningful relationships and connections to other humans.

But, how do we build meaningful relationships with others if we have to hide who we really are, "fake it till we make it" or sweep under the "carpet" the things we don't know about what we are expected to do at work?

There are many ingredients for people to build meaningful connections with others, but surely the main one is vulnerability.

Vulnerability is about taking the risks to emotionally expose and open up ourselves to others. Vulnerability is having the courage to authentically express who we really are in front of and to others.

Meaningful relationships, therefore, must rely on vulnerability (emotional openness, courage and authenticity), because otherwise any connection to other human becomes fake or superficial (the opposite to meaningful).

Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, it is not revealing everything about us to everyone all the time, and it is not dark emotions or painful memories and feelings. Vulnerability isn’t either something that only certain people experience or have.

When we discuss about what makes great organizational cultures, I always respond in this way: “the best culture is the one that allows human to be human”.

As we mentioned above, being human means craving meaningful connections and relationships. Meaningful connections and relationships create a deep sense of belonging to a “tribe” or a community, for example: our workplaces. This sense of belonging is a powerful measure of how much we care for the community, and how much we know the community care for us. That’s why for great a corporate culture to emerge and thrive we have to focus on belonging, and its roots: connections and relationships. And for the latter to fruitfully exist we must let vulnerability flow.

Vulnerability at work improves the entirety of the human experience of people at work, including their physical and emotional health, reduces stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem and self-worth, reinforces psychological safety, builds powerful connections and belonging, decreases depression.

Vulnerability is not a buzzword thrown up in the air to sound cool or “people-centered”. Vulnerability is part of everyone’s life, from the company’s CEO to everyone else. It is not a weakness, but rather a strength and it allows living fulfilled lives at the personal and professional levels.

These are six of the most powerful benefits of vulnerability at work.

Builds Trust

Trust is the product of vulnerability, says Brené Brown. But vulnerability also begets trust. It is a positive reinforcing cycle: more trust, more vulnerability, more vulnerability more trust. By fearlessly and courageously being vulnerable you build more trust, which is the most valuable currency in any organization

Creates Strong Connections

Trust is the language of human connection. And since vulnerability increases trust it also fosters better and more meaningful human connections. Human relationships is also one of the top drivers of happiness and joy. Vulnerability, thus, fosters meaningful and strong connections.

Increases Self-awareness

Through freely and courageously expressing yourself, your emotions and feelings, you can become much more aware of your own behaviors, emotions, patterns and limitations. Vulnerability allows you to not just expose yourself to others, but to also discover more about you in the process.

Creates and Inspires Empathy

Empathy is the ability and awareness to understand and sense other people’s emotions and feelings, and the ability to imagine yourself in their place and what someone else might be thinking or feeling. Vulnerability creates an extraordinary opportunity to understand other people's feelings. In doing so, you will be deepening your meaningful connections with others and creating great opportunities for them to be vulnerable as well and show up authentically.

Helps Us Grow

It's hard to work on the things you want to improve about yourself when you don't know what those things are. Vulnerability allows you to unveil important information about gaps and weaknesses as you expose yourself to others. Vulnerability allows you to discover valuable information for your growth which, in turn, has a positive impact in your performance at work.

Makes Us Human

What are the things that humans want the most of our work? To contribute to a higher cause and to meaningfully connect with others. When you increase the opportunities for people to connect to a higher purpose, and also connect and belong you make them more human, and in the process you humanize the workplace. Vulnerability is the key that opens the gate to belonging and the possibilities for them to show up authentically, and in the ways they can contribute to the purpose of the organization, while also connecting with others.

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By Enrique Rubio, founder at Hacking HR