Growth Instigators Hotline

#353 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership

• Aaron Havens • Season 4 • Episode 353

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Vulnerability builds stronger leadership by creating authentic connections. Brené Brown reminds us that vulnerability means having the courage to show up when we can't control the outcome.

• Pretending to have it all together is exhausting and overrated
• Vulnerability doesn't weaken leadership—it deepens it
• Being human while leading makes people lean in and want more
• Saying "I don't know" adds value to what you do say
• Vulnerability builds trust faster than perfection
• People follow real leaders, not flawless ones
• When leaders show vulnerability, team members become more courageous
• Vulnerability transforms leadership from performance into connection

Visit growthinstigators.com or text 970-306-6432 to learn how Aaron helps leaders unlock deeper connection through honest, human-centered leadership.


Speaker 1:

How are you? Oh, I'm good, good, yeah, I'm good, everything's fine. Swell you? Welcome to message 353 of the Growth Instigators hotline, where we ignite your personal and professional development. I'm Aaron Havens, your host and growth coach. Winning Leadership Wednesday.

Speaker 1:

The role of vulnerability in leadership Okay, pretending to have it all together is exhausting and overrated. Do you tend to trust the leader that has the answers, the plan and a wall around their emotions, or do you tend to trust the leader who shows up honest about the challenge, the uncertainty and the fact that they're still learning? That's right. Guess which one I would rather follow? Here's the one idea I want to land today.

Speaker 1:

Vulnerability doesn't weaken leadership. It deepens leadership. That's right. It's not about oversharing or turning every meeting into a therapy session. It's about being human in the middle of your leadership. It's about being human in the middle of your leadership.

Speaker 1:

When you lead from your real self, your people lean in and want more of that. Just simply saying, shoot, I don't know. We could go either way, it depends. Puts a lot of value to what you say and do? Brene Brown puts it this way Vulnerability is not winning or losing, do? Brene Brown puts it this way vulnerability is not winning or losing. It's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. That's right.

Speaker 1:

Here's what I've noticed about vulnerability. Vulnerability builds trust faster than perfection. That's right. People don't follow flawless, they follow real. And also, vulnerability invites others to show up honestly. When you go first, it gives your team permission to be more courageous too. And the last thought today vulnerability creates depth. It turns leadership from performance into connection. So here's your question today. Here's the thought when in your leadership could you drop the mask, take it off and lead with just a little more humility? Hey, I'm here for you If your team is stuck behind the surface level communication. I help leaders unlock deeper connection through honest, human-centered leadership. Through honest, human-centered leadership, visit growthinstigatorscom or shoot me a text at 970-306-6432 and let's chat about how I can help. Hey, thank you so much for calling Growth Instigators Hotline. I love to hear all the messages you're leaving and see where you're calling from, and I'd love to hear from you After the beep. Leave me your thoughts on this question. What's one area where you could lead with more vulnerability this week? And, as always, keep instigating growth in all you do.