Being Vulnerable, Not Perfect | Road to Revenue #50

Be a courageous leader who illuminates flaws instead of hiding them. The ability to be vulnerable is such an important aspect of life that I switched the two words sitting on my nightstand from "Thank You" to "Radical Humility," as a reminder to be humble and allow myself to be vulnerable. And it's not simply being vulnerable as a person at home with your family; it is essential to also be vulnerable as a leader in business.

Vulnerability is simply the courage to be yourself, "warts and all," a core component of effective leadership. Leaders who try to portray themselves as invulnerable or perfect will soon find that their message does not resonate with their team. Not only that, but a façade of invulnerability is a defense which attracts attacks from others. Vulnerability means living in authenticity.

Vulnerability means authenticity

Authenticity is what helps you to connect emotionally with your team. As you know, the truth vibrates the fastest and the truth is a cornerstone of vulnerability. Those who are not willing to admit this are unable to grow in their humanity and will never be viewed as genuine at heart.

One of my favorite quotes on the role of vulnerability in our lives comes from the poet David Whyte: "Vulnerability is not a weakness, a passing indisposition or something we can arrange to do without, vulnerability is not a choice, vulnerability is the underlying, ever present and abiding undercurrent of our natural state.”

Illuminate your flaws

In order to display your vulnerability, you must illuminate your mistakes when you make them. Being vulnerable means that you are honest and accountable, especially when analyzing yourself. You need to know what you are good at, in what areas you need to improve, what you are hiding, your flaws or your experiences where shame lies. You must be accountable to yourself as well as others, which starts by looking within your ego and being truthful with yourself.

You need to accept that you are not perfect, and that making mistakes is a normal part of being a leader and a human. One of most helpful things that comes along with being vulnerable is that it elevates your self-awareness.

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