The Value of Vulnerability

Source: ConvergenceCoaching, LLC Inspired Ideas

The following includes excerpts, reproduced with permission, of a blog entry by Michelle Baca.

When we teach sessions on leadership development, we introduce a list of leadership attributes that represents the characteristics most cited as being desirable in a leader. We frequently ask our audiences to look at our Leadership Attributes list to see if there is anything on it that they don't think should be included. Almost always, someone chooses the attribute of “vulnerability.” Most people associate vulnerability with weakness. But, as a personality characteristic, it demonstrates your humanity, being “real” with people, and not trying to portray a false image of perfection.

Sometimes being vulnerable is about releasing the need to know everything and to be right, admitting that you have made a mistake, or having the courage to ask for help. How vulnerable are you with your team? Are you willing to reveal the areas in which you are challenged so that others can be more informed when working with you and offer their assistance and support?

When you demonstrate vulnerability, you are a more relatable leader. You can actually endear people to you and inspire them, because when you develop relatedness, you become the kind of leader that they can aspire to be. However, if you put on a perfect facade, your people may think to themselves, “Oh, I could never be like that.” It is unfortunate when the people who look up to you don't believe that they could ever fill your shoes.

Challenge yourself to let your guard down occasionally and reveal something about yourself to others. Aim to create a space where people feel comfortable and natural around you so that they may let their guard down as well.

For the complete article, read “Being Real Is Better Than Being Perfect.”

From Convergence Coaching, LLC Inspired Ideas, http://blog.convergencecoaching.com, June 29, 2011.