An Unexpected Trait Great Leaders Possess

I recently heard an intriguing TED talk by Brene Brown.  Her speech was on vulnerability.  Though I won’t even attempt to dab into all of the research and meaning she provides, I do think some of her points are interesting and worth sharing in terms of helping us to become more capable, more successful leaders. 

So vulnerability….  Traditionally we probably would never list vulnerability as an important characteristic of a leader.  However after listening to the TED talk and thinking about the great leaders I know, I want to suggest that the greatest leaders, the most successful leaders are vulnerable.

To me vulnerability means someone who is not perfect and willing to let it show and be known.  They have the courage to be who they really are at all times.  The let both the good and the bad show.  Vulnerable leaders do not possess a “know-it-all” attitude but instead willingly admit they need help and support from others to achieve their goals.  For most of us, this idea of vulnerability probably sounds so counterintuitive to what we traditionally believe how a good leader should be yet showing this willingness to be authentic eliminates the façade and ego that so often creates an impenetrable chasm between leaders and those they lead.  And this chasm or disconnection prevents leaders and teams from gaining the highest levels of success.      

As the TED speaker suggests, what vulnerability will do for a leader is it will allow them to truly connect with those they lead.  When leaders make a true connection, they establish a relationship of trust which in turn creates a high level of commitment, support, and loyalty through a deep sense of belonging.  Vulnerability essentially puts leaders on an even playing field with those they lead which empowers followers to uphold and support the leader’s vision wholeheartedly—as it quickly becomes their vision.

To me, vulnerability is much like the humility we read about in Jim Collins book Good to Great which Level 5 leaders possess.  Leaders that have this unique level of humility or this willingness to be vulnerable are uncommon yet it often is the key to truly becoming a great leader.   

Perhaps the best result from a leader being vulnerable is that it encourages others to be vulnerable as well which further enhances teamwork, connection, camaraderie, and belonging among the group.  When a team is vulnerable with one another it removes huge common roadblocks to success such as blame, fear, egos, and distrust.      

Vulnerable leaders give their team the gift of connection which in turn gives the team meaning, security, and purpose.  As we strive to be the best leaders we can be, we will see vulnerability as an asset that will enhance our leadership capabilities rather than the opposite.  I believe there is power in vulnerability that cannot be found in any other way and the greatest leaders and team builders find a way to tap in to this power in order to achieve unimaginable even historic results.