Is Vulnerability Your Path to Innovative Leadership?
In this issue: Is Vulnerability Your Path to Innovative Leadership? / What’s the Best Time to Eat Dinner? Here’s the Math / Match Made By AI: Man Uses ChatGPT To Match With Over 5,000 Women On Tinder / The Lighter Side of Vulnerability
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I'm Andrea J. Miller and this is my “On Leading Well” Newsletter. I send this to people in my networks, people I’ve met recently, and friends I want to keep in touch with. You can unsubscribe (SEE THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL) anytime, I won’t be offended.
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Is Vulnerability Your Path to Innovative Leadership?
Have you ever hesitated to ask a question, afraid of how you might be viewed?
It’s a common experience, particularly now, as we’re navigating the increasingly complex modern workplace.
The pressure to be seen a certain way often causes us to hide things… at the time when we most need support.
It can leave us feeling too vulnerable to ask for help.
Because we’re afraid of what others might think…and yet, secretly, many of those people feel the same way.
The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
Contrary to how it’s often viewed, vulnerability isn’t a weakness.
In fact, it’s an important strength that fosters trust, encourages more open conversations, and paves the way for greater innovation at a time when it’s needed.
Research from the author and speaker Brene Brown, highlights the power of vulnerability, as an important foundation for emotional connection, creativity, and change (I highly recommend her TED talk "The Power of Vulnerability,” if you haven’t already seen it).
She demonstrates that vulnerability is an essential component for stronger teams that build the necessary confidence in the person to lead effectively.
Brown's insights reveal that leaders who dare to be vulnerable not only inspire those around them but also create environments where innovation and authenticity flourish.
However, in the workplace, this can’t exist without a sense of psychological safety. A term, coined by Harvard professor, Amy Edmondson.
Professor Edmondson’s research shows that teams with psychological safety — a climate in which individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of punishment or embarrassment — are more likely to admit mistakes, collaborate effectively, and freely share their ideas.
This sense of safety starts with leaders who are willing to show their vulnerabilities.
As with most things I write about, this post was triggered by a personal experience.
Recently I was reminded just how important vulnerability can be after joining a new global community.
I was impressed by the vulnerability of another member who shared a work challenge that I, and as I found out, many others were facing but were hesitant to admit to a group of strangers.
The strong response to his openness reminded me why vulnerability is so critical in all aspects of our lives.
If he hadn’t shared this post with over 750 strangers who knows if or when any of the rest of us would’ve.
It was a powerful reminder that when someone takes the lead and shares, they not only help themselves but also create space for others to do the same.
Embracing Vulnerability as a Leadership Strategy
But vulnerability as a leadership strategy is about far more than just sharing personal stories or admitting the occasional doubts that we all feel (and yes, we all have them).
It requires a consistent commitment to supporting an environment where being vulnerable is viewed not as a liability but as a basis of strong leadership.
This approach encourages everyone to share their ideas and concerns about work, fostering the type of culture where innovation lives and thrives.
The reality is that embracing vulnerability in leadership or any role in our lives, paves the way for better outcomes and a richer experience.
It challenges the traditional notions of what strength should look like, creating a culture where greater openness and collectively rising to new challenges
Vulnerability in Action:
To start integrating vulnerability into your leadership (and life) style, consider these action steps:
1. Foster open communication by regularly sharing your own challenges and uncertainties.
Note: It’s always best to keep it professional, unless you have a personal relationship, or the issue will affect your work in some way.
2. Encourage feedback and create safe spaces for team members to express their thoughts and ideas.
3. Lead by example, demonstrating that vulnerability is valued and supported within your team or organization.
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RECOMMENDED LISTENS, READS And Other Interesting Things
What’s the Best Time to Eat Dinner? Here’s the Math
This is how to calculate the best hour for dinner for your health, sleep and family time
Match Made By AI: Man Uses ChatGPT To Match With Over 5,000 Women On Tinder
He said that he used a Tinder bot - powered by ChatGPT - that helped him connect with over 5,000 women on the app (not sure if this is inspiring or depressing…but here’s another use for AI :). Happy Valentine’s Day!
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The Lighter Side of Vulnerability
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Andrea J. Miller
+1 (646) 556-5401 (Whatsapp)