Why Vulnerability is Crucial for Authentic Leadership

Lately, an incident has made me ponder this topic more than ever. One of my staff members informed me about some personal situations she was going through and why there was a delay in deliverables. We talked in detail about her predicament, and it made me realise that she came to me to explain this rather late and probably did not expect understanding and empathy on my part. So, is it really difficult for a leader to show vulnerability and authenticity towards his team??

Vulnerability in Leadership

Our general mindset about vulnerability is that it is a sign of weakness. When we see someone opening up to us, breaking down, sharing insecurities or pain, and talking about their struggles openly, we see these as signs of weakness. After all, hiding all the pain and moving on is the best idea, right? This is what social media promotes, too. Everyone there is happy, positive, productive, and successful all at the same time. But that can never be the reality. In real life, we all have problems. We are all fighting battles that we don’t talk about. I am sure, you, dear reader, deal with your own set of problems too. So, the basic thing that we can offer others is empathy. If you are a leader, you have to embody this quality in your life and actions more than ever.?

Leadership is not about only walking ahead. In The Lion King, Mufasa and Simba could become the leaders as they did not force others to walk behind them. They drove through the entire jungle and gave everyone directions. As a leader, it is your responsibility to inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. And lead by example.? That can happen when you allow yourself to be vulnerable? as it will give them a safe space to show their vulnerability and find ways to deal with it as they see in your example.

Positive Vulnerability as a Quality

When you want to experience greatness, and are making a brave move, there is no certainty. There is always a risk. If you are a leader, it is essential that you take that risk. You cannot avoid that and still be successful. It comes with the territory. But the moment you are acting on courage, when you are being brave for even a split second—that is when you are truly vulnerable. Positive vulnerability is a leader’s greatest strength and a vital component. It makes you authentic. It also makes you a great communicator, helps you give constructive feedback even in the face of failure, and lets you connect better. Remember, people work for people, not for a company. Your vulnerability as a leader makes you more humane.?

So, how can you cultivate vulnerability in your leadership journey? Let’s find out.

• Developing Self-Awareness

The first step to doing this is to become honest and vulnerable with yourself. Honest introspection can help you understand who you are, what your business is all about, your vision, and how it flows. This self-discovery process lets you understand how strong you are or what your weaknesses are.?

• Have a Clearly Defined Purpose

Why are you running this business? Are you a specialised company to offer the product or service you are producing? Are you trying to solve a problem for your customers? These questions will help you understand the purpose of your business. Generally, a purpose-driven company can evolve as per the necessity than one that is only driven by profit. This realisation comes with vulnerability.

• Creating a Circle Based on Values

As a leader, you should have values. This is the glue that holds the relationships you share with your customers, followers, and staff members. Being self-aware makes you realise your values, and once you have clarity on this matter, you can find those who share the same values. This creates a trust circle with your employees.

• Listening Authentically

A very underrated skill for leaders is their listening skills. As a leader, you get the chance to tell people what you think. But what will you talk about? How will you get the pulse of the people you want to connect with? Listening is the best way to do so. A leader who listens with empathy and authenticity is the one who inspires.?

• Don’t Demonstrate Power

As a leader, you are in a position of power. But this does not mean you have to demonstrate that. Often, I keep hearing on social media about how leaders and bosses micromanage their employees or put blame for failure on them. These are serious red flags for a leader and shows no empathy towards the employees. Refrain from making these mistakes.?

Most importantly, bring kindness. Kindness is closely related to vulnerability. The more vulnerable and authentic you become, the more you will become kind to others. This journey is never short. I am still learning every day in life. I am sure you will, too.?