5 Powers of Vulnerability

Vulnerability restores the vitality that faking drains.

You teach people what to do by what you do. Kouzes and Posner say the first function of leadership is, “Model the Way.” (The Leadership Challenge)

Everyone wears a mask when leaders aren’t vulnerable.

You energize teams by practicing vulnerability.

5 Powers of Vulnerability

#1. Confidence

Candor, collaboration, and honest communication drive confidence.

• 86% blame lack of collaboration for workplace failure.
• Over 70% agree that lack of candor negatively impacts optimal performance.
• Nearly everyone prefers truthful discussions, but only half say it happens. (Source)

#2. Rapport

Transparency makes leaders approachable and trustworthy. They build bridges when they seek feedback, share their mistakes, and learn from others.

Let people know you don’t know it all. Say:

• I never thought of that.
• I’m learning…
• I’m reading…

Courage to be seen gives others courage to connect.

#3. Humility

The influence of humility transcends the coercion of arrogance. Competent leaders earn respect with their humanity and emotional intelligence.

#4. Improvement

Make learning more important than looking good. Replace perfectionism with progress.

Move from who to blame to what are we learning?

Respect small experiments. Celebrate an adapt-as-you-go approach.

Shift from proving to improving.

#5. Credibility

Let people know you’re open to correction.

Believability isn’t about being right, it’s about being truthful. Owning failures builds credibility when combined with follow-through.

Final Word:

Create a safe space for others to be real, take risks, and bring their full selves to work. When leaders show vulnerability, they normalize it.

“Vulnerability is not weakness. Vulnerability is power.” — Brené Brown

What does confident transparency look like from your viewpoint?