There is no room for vulnerability in leadership.
Claire Russell
Head Hobnobber, CEO, Speaker, Creator of Mental Health Programs - breaking down barriers in Workplace Mental Health
I have spoken with a number of business leaders recently about vulnerability.
I was surprised by their responses- basically:
"There is no room for vulnerability in leadership".
This perspective could not be more wrong.
Vulnerability can seem out of place in the work environment and in leadership - but it really is powerful resource; and it can impact positively on the entire culture of an organisation. Why is that? Well, vulnerability - and authenticity; are the keys to human and social connection. Human connection is something that is often missing within the workplace. Maybe it is seen as weakness? Vulnerability is not weakness- it is the courage to be authentic, to be yourself, to share honestly.
Vulnerability can help to create the conditions for courage, it can increase creativity and productivity; and it is an attribute that should be encouraged and nurtured, in ourselves, in others and in our businesses.
I believe vulnerability is the key to better leadership.
Giving some thought to how we can bring vulnerability in to leadership, I have looked to my absolute hero- Brené Brown. Dr Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston. For over 20 years she has studied vulnerability, shame, courage and empathy - and she is the author of best selling books: The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong and Braving the Wilderness- which I am currently reading. Her latest book, Dare to Lead, is next on my reading list and is the culmination of a study on courage and leadership over 7 years.
Brené describes vulnerability as emotional exposure, uncertainty and risk. If you think about it- good leadership requires all of those things too. My favourite quote of Brené’s, on leadership, is this:
“We desperately need more leaders who are committed to courageous, wholehearted leadership and who are self-aware enough to lead from their hearts, rather than unevolved leaders who lead from hurt and fear.”
If she is right, and I believe she is, then vulnerable leaders are by far the most courageous.
Great leaders inspire; they take risks; they find the potential in people and have the courage to develop that potential. To see a person's true potential you have to truly see them, all of who they are - and be willing to be seen yourself.
Still think there is no room for vulnerability in leadership? I don’t.
What do you think?
Are you willing to show up, to be seen, to take risks, to ‘Dare Greatly’?
With love x
Master your mindset, break conventions & become a confident, impactful leader | Mindset Expert, Performance Coach & Speaker | 121 Coaching & Workshops
11 个月Cultivating a culture of vulnerability is SO important (albeit not easy)! What I've seen to be most successful is when leaders & managers embrace this first, as a way of setting the example and then encouraging others to do the same.
Founder - Beanstalk LeadershipAcssociates
4 年So I agree that we need more managers that lead from the heart but I really struggle with the idea of this being vulnerable. Open, accessible, empathetic, risk taking....I'm sure there are many other words I could describe to good leaders. When I think of the word vulnerable I think of a person who is at the mercy of another person or situation that is potentially harmful to them - perhaps it is the field of work I am in (children's social care) but I do wonder if the word vulnerable could turn off managers to what I think is a really insightful view of the characteristics good managers do have.
Regulatory Partner and COLP, RIAA Barker Gillette (UK) LLP; Former Chair, Taxation Disciplinary Board; Member, Tribunal Procedure Committee; Lay Panellist, Teaching Regulation Agency
4 年Excellent article as always Claire. You know what you are talking about!
Wisdom Curator | The 80/20 Guy | Growth & Marketing Consultant | Podcaster. Launching FLOURISH with Jacob Zangel ?? #marketingfundies #eudaimonia
4 年Emotional intelligence which would include things like vulnerability and compassion are in my opinion the most important personality traits of a great leader!
?? Hired by firms that want their female talent to succeed ?? Expert in helping professional women overcome Imposter Syndrome and build the Mindset & Skillset for leadership success ?? Coach | Trainer | Speaker
4 年So important to be vulnerable! Great article Claire ??