What does it take to be a true business leader? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines leadership as:
- The office or position of a leader
- Capacity to lead
- The act or an instance of leading
Okay, sure that is the wordbook’s definition. But there is so much to being a leader, let alone a great leader. In this post, we are going to discuss what it means to be vulnerable as a leader, why it matters and why vulnerability is so incredibly difficult for so many of us.
So really, why should you allow yourself as a business leader to be vulnerable? The results are clear:
- You will make better, faster decisions.
- You will achieve your business goals.
- You will enjoy more time, more money and more freedom.
- You will be your authentic self, unapologetically – vs. trying to always be correct or please others.
- You will be a stronger leader, more courageous, more human, more empathetic. People will want to follow you and go to the ends of the earth for you.
Vulnerability is being okay with putting yourself out there with thoughts, ideas, opinions, etc. knowing that you could be incorrect. Or knowing that others will certainly disagree with you. When you are vulnerable, from an ownership or leadership perspective, you know that you could be emotionally hurt and your ego might get bruised. And that’s okay.
Leaders Being Vulnerable (or Not) Stories
When I was in my twenties, an older, more senior leader was having a bad day. He had been out of town and returned to a bit of chaos. I happened to figuratively be a punching bag for him. In his office, he verbally ripped me up one side and down the other regarding some perceived issue while he was away. Yes, it was very clearly verbal and emotional abuse. Most of what he was yelling about was substantially over my head, not to mention my paygrade. When he was finally done with his ridiculous tirade, I scurried into the ladies room where a burst into a flood gate of tears. It took all I had to stop crying, but I pulled myself together. Back in those days, it definitely was not cool to cry in the workplace, especially as a woman.
Did I have things to say? Absolutely. Did I have an opinion on the issue he was screaming about? I did. Did I want to rip that so-called leader a new one for treating me disrespectfully? You know it! But I didn’t voice my opinions or approach him after the fact to discuss what happened. Nope, I did nothing other than slither away. In reality, I did not make myself vulnerable because I was afraid of him lashing out at me again (which, for the record, he did on multiple occasions after that). I probably wouldn’t have taken those verbal lashings had I been willing to make myself even a little bit vulnerable. Fear is a powerful thing.
Since 2005, I have been watching business owners, in all phases of their ownership lifecycle, be intentionally vulnerable in TAB Board Meetings. They share their deepest innermost thoughts, fears and challenges about their business and their lives with their peers, who all happen to be other business owners and CEOs.
This sharing is vulnerable. This sharing is brave. This sharing is liberating. These TAB Board Members then go back to their companies and open themselves up to their employees. In most cases, when vulnerability is demonstrated or modeled by the owner, the leadership team and employees will follow suit. And the rewards are exponential.
Just this week, a group of a dozen or so business owners, who didn’t know one another, met over lunch for a workshop. During the discussions, each individual chose to make themselves vulnerable. Every participant willingly opened up and shared some of their challenges, frustrations and achievements around their business. They talked about their families, their transitions, their company performance and so much more in a confidential environment.
It was remarkable and powerful.
There are a ton of great articles, whitepapers and books about the importance of vulnerability. I recommend you find one that suits you and give it a good read. By allowing yourself to be vulnerable, you are taking positive steps toward becoming an exceptional, bold and successful business leader. Sure, it might be scary at first. But the sooner they embrace it, the faster they get to where they want to be!
Blair Koch is the CEO of TAB Denver West, a TAB CEO Advisory Board Facilitator, and a Business Ownership Lifecycle Coach. Blair has spent most of her career helping small business owners achieve their personal and professional goals. She also hosts the Best Businesses in Denver podcast.
