Vulnerability is strength in action

Many will be aware of the well-known TED Talk given by Brené Brown on the power of vulnerability. Despite a growing focus on mental health in the world of work and a wider acceptance that being ‘strong’ all the time is unhealthy, we still seem to have a general struggle with how we step into vulnerability.

Being able to say out loud to one’s peer group, one’s team, one’s line manager that we are struggling to cope with something, or feeling overwhelmed in some way is still pretty much taboo until it gets to the point where it cannot be ignored or has become a crisis. That said, recently I have witnessed some great examples where individuals and organisations have stepped into that space before it becomes a crisis situation.

The key common ingredients? A willingness to accept humanness in our leadership as a quality not a failing. The creation of a psychologically safe space (and time) where people can declare their personal struggles and trust they aren’t going to be judged or criticised. Emotional maturity in the group to truly listen – a fundamental factor – then a willingness to accept what the person is saying as true for them. The presence of leadership; that is the courage and willingness to jump in and be first to speak about one’s own challenges in front of/with a group.

We are living and leading in times of immense pressure. Knowing that we can express our inner, personal concerns and not have that affect the value placed upon our current contribution, or potential for future roles within an organisation, would be fundamental progress in organisational culture and development.