Why Vulnerability is a Leadership Strength

Being vulnerable as a leader is the new strong.

Sounds cliche, but at the heart is ego management.

Let's unpack that.

Leaders are put under the microscope.

Whether it's fair or not, it's part of the job.

Most leaders believe they can't show weakness by admitting they were wrong.

They view it as a negative thing, but in reality, it shows you're human.

Leaders should be held to a higher standard, but at the same time not put on a pedestal.

Think of the last time you heard a leader apologize for their mistake.

I'm pretty sure your respect level for that individual increased.

Here's a personal example from early in my career.

Back in college, I taught an Elementary Sunday School class at my church.

One day a student's younger cousin was visiting and joined us in class.

As I taught the story, there was a point where he had the courage to correct a detail I got wrong.

Immediately the class looked at me for my response and time literally paused.

At that moment I had a decision to make: I could reprimand him for being disrespectful or accept his correction with grace.

Fortunately, I put my ego aside and embarrassingly admitted that he was right.

The class got a kick out of it, but I don't think it harmed my credibility.

When you're leading others, people don't expect perfection from you.

Don't aim to make mistakes, but when you do 'fess up.

Leadership can be lonely and few things connect teams like brute honesty.

One of a leader's biggest challenges is to manage their ego during a crisis.

Leaders face several pressure-packed situations where decisions need to be made quickly while others watch.

Because you're not perfect, you won't get all the decisions right so when you don't, take ownership of it.

Leaders can be an example in times of adversity.

Next time do what's best for the team, admit you made a mistake, and move forward together.