Jump In, The Water's Great

I have a client who has been holding back. She has been slowly dipping her toe in the water of exposing her weaknesses, flaws and challenges. A few weeks ago, she made the choice to step up her game. In her weekly newsletter, she shared a struggle she’s had since childhood. Knowing that her family would see this newsletter, she published it reticently then waited for the blow back. Instead, she received a call from her mother who was compassionate and curious. They had a deeply meaningful conversation that ended with both sides feeling more connected to the other. 

I’ve been sharing some of my own challenges with potential clients, even though it feels like I should be trying to show my best side to them. What I am finding is that they feel more connected to me. It’s edgy to expose my inner fears to others, especially in professional settings, but the results and feedback have been mostly positive. Even though my ego voice is screaming at me to “never let ‘em see you sweat”, the data show me just how powerful vulnerability is in both my personal and professional lives.

How are you overcoming your own reticence to be more vulnerable? What are your insights when you do?