The Leadership Secret That Sounds Like Weakness

Hi Reader,

💡 Today's Niblit: Brené Brown's research in Dare to Lead reveals that vulnerability — not toughness — is the most accurate measure of courage in leadership. The leaders who embrace uncertainty and emotional exposure are the ones who build the strongest, most innovative teams.

🔑 Key Insight: Vulnerability isn't about oversharing your personal struggles in staff meetings. It's about showing up fully when outcomes aren't guaranteed, admitting you don't have all the answers, staying present during difficult conversations, and being willing to take emotional risks for the sake of your team's growth.

Think of vulnerability like deep-sea diving. Most leaders prefer to stay in the shallow end of the pool where they can touch bottom and maintain control. But the real treasures — breakthrough innovations, authentic connections, transformative solutions — exist in the deep waters where you can't see the bottom and must trust your equipment and training.

This matters because teams led by "armored" leaders who avoid vulnerability also avoid the hard conversations, honest feedback, and creative risks that drive real results. When leaders model emotional courage, they give their teams permission to bring their full selves to work, including their best ideas, honest concerns, and innovative solutions.

🦉 Nibble of Wisdom: "You can't get to courage without rumbling with vulnerability. Embrace the suck." — Dare to Lead, Part 1

🛠️ Practical Tip: Start your next team meeting with a vulnerable statement: "I don't have all the answers on this project, and I need your honest input" or "This decision feels risky to me, and here's why..."

🚀 Quick Action: Identify one conversation you've been avoiding because it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. Schedule it for this week. Before the meeting, remind yourself that your willingness to have this conversation — not your ability to control its outcome — is what defines courageous leadership.

🔍 Further Exploration:

• Notice which team members you trust most — they're likely the ones who've shown vulnerability with you first
• Reflect on a time when a leader's honesty about their struggles actually increased your respect for them
• Check out Brené Brown’s TED Talk: “The Power of Vulnerability”​

🎬 Wrapup: Remember, the leaders who seem invulnerable are often the ones leading the most fragile teams. Your willingness to be real about uncertainty and struggle isn't a weakness — it's the foundation that allows others to be brave too.

🔗 Links:

• Check out Dare to Lead by Brené Brown on Amazon
• ​Dare to Lead on Kindle​
• ​Dare to Lead Audiobook​
• ​How to read Dare to Lead for FREE​

Taking the plunge into more vulnerability with you,

Tom "still learning to tread water" Bernthal

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