3 Ways To Build Vulnerability In Your Organization
I finally am getting around to read Brene Brown’s book, Dare To Lead. Brene has been a thought-leader who has revolutionized making sense of vulnerability, shame, courage, and becoming our truest self.
As I was reading the introduction of her book she wrote something I wanted to share with you all. Here is the quote:
“Our ability to be daring leaders will never be greater than our capacity for vulnerability.”
Vulnerability as a leader is the gateway to being effective. No one wants to be around a fake leader who hides their humanity and imperfections. For some reason we have been programmed to think leaders are perfect, flawless, strong, bold, never doubting, always having the answer type of individuals. The problem is…this is an impossible destination that no one can live up to. In fact, many people who get promoted to a manager/leadership position end up quitting due to the high level of stress put on them. Unfortunately, more people bow out of leadership eventually rather than stay in it for the long haul. If we don’t change some things about our philosophy, approach, and expectations of leadership many organizations are doomed to a revolving door of leaders in, leaders out.
Here are some tips to build capacity for vulnerability in your organization:
Believe In People
If you don’t believe in people you will never be able to develop them. Leadership requires optimism. Having a negative or pessimistic outlook about people will ruin your ability to pull out the best in them. We all need someone who believes the best in us. In fact, those who never had someone who believed in them typically end up living way under their potential. For us to reach our maximum potential it takes others. No one ever reaches the pinnacle of their performance without the help of a coach, mentor, friend, or some sort of support. Organizations that intrinsically believe in people tend to be the most successful.
Be Patient With People
If you are looking for quick fixes and short-cuts to develop leaders in your organization, you’ll always be searching. Great leaders aren’t found…they are developed. If you are going to build a culture of vulnerability that produces daring leaders it will require extreme patient with people. Rome wasn’t built in a day and great leaders aren’t built in a conversation or one training program. It is the continual investment of resources, time, feedback, coaching, and experiences that eventually create dynamic leaders. Play the long game if you want to develop high capacity leaders who are committed to your cause.
Be Real With People
Don’t sugar coat and hide feedback from your team. The more vulnerable you are…the more vulnerable they will be. However, the more secretive you are…the more secretive they will be. You have to model what it means to be a vulnerable leader. Leaders always reproduce who they are. If your team is not open and honest you have to first look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re holding something back. Stop reinforcing the old school myth that leaders are perfect, flawless, powerful, egotistical, individuals. Change the script by being a real person who is working on getting better and better.
Here is Brene Brown’s book, Dare To Lead if you want to get a copy…
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