VULNERABILITY: THE LEADERS SECRET WEAPON
Many professional sport players have a reputation for being unyielding. Similarly, many business leaders project a hardened exterior; they’re often firm when it comes to discipline and shrewd in negotiations. This stigma—the idea that a leader must be an impenetrable wall—is a misunderstanding. Many men, in particular, believe they must always project strength and never show a crack in the armour. I have a slightly different take: I see vulnerability as a sign of immense character and a genuine secret weapon.
There is no doubt that having a robust personality helps when life throws a curveball. As many of you have experienced, personal setbacks, family tragedies, and business challenges constantly complicate our daily lives. While grit and resilience are vital attributes, I truly believe vulnerability is the tool many leaders leave on the table.
THE STRENGTH IN BEING REAL
So, how do you show vulnerability if you’re known as a formidable character? Surely the two don’t go together? I am 100% convinced that showing vulnerability is actually proof of how strong you really are. It demonstrates that you don’t claim to have all the answers and that you’re capable of making mistakes.
In turn, this makes people more likely to trust you as a leader and a person of integrity. At the end of the day, deals and contracts are signed with people, not titles. Bringing a human element to the table creates loyalty. It also encourages your team to be more honest about their own hurdles. When people feel safe enough to be open, problems are identified earlier—which is often the difference in make-or-break situations.
VULNERABILITY AS A SUPERPOWER
Vulnerability, when used correctly, is a superpower. Statements like, “Guys, I’m not 100% sure what to do here and I need your help,” or “I made a mistake here, and this is what I learned,” show tremendous inner strength, not weakness. I believe people relate far more to someone who is real than to a “bulletproof” person who is never wrong and never asks for advice. Trust will always beat perfection.
This applies just as much to parents as it does to CEOs. Showing vulnerability to your kids teaches them that it’s okay to fail sometimes, provided you take responsibility and learn from it.
How are you leading your team, business, or family today? Are you leaning into the strength of vulnerability, or are you still trying to be the stoic leader who never lets their guard down?
GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to get in touch with me about my key note presentation, Debunking Motivation, please send an email to corne@cornekrige.com. Visit my website to review my speaker sheet for more info. I also share my story on my social media pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.