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How (and why) to be vulnerable
To be alive is to be vulnerable. And yet, being vulnerable can feel uncomfortable. Showing who you are and how you feel can seem too risky. So we shut down and close off from others. And in doing so, we do ourselves and others a huge disservice.
From an evolutionary perspective, we once needed to protect ourselves and our reputation in order to optimize chances of survival. For a long time, ‘vulnerability’ has been synonymous with ‘weakness’. And yet, with loneliness and isolation rife in our societies, this is one of the biggest misconceptions we face.
Vulnerability is a powerful connective force. It’s essential to genuine, lasting and healthy relationships. At work and beyond.
What is vulnerability?
Researcher and storyteller Brené Brown defines vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” According to her research, vulnerability is not weakness; in fact, the ability to be vulnerable is our most accurate measure of courage.
One benefit of vulnerability is its direct contribution to the level of authenticity we experience. When you allow yourself to be seen as you truly are, you are in essence saying to the world, “I have value just as I am. I deserve to be accepted for who I am.”
