Can Being Vulnerable at Work Make Our Lives Better?
Being vulnerable and working aren’t commonly used in the same sentence. However, being vulnerable can open the door to better conversations, increased learning, and improved understanding. In this week’s post, we will dive into why more vulnerability might be key for your career.
vulnerability promotes learning
Practicing vulnerability can sometimes be as simple as admitting we don’t have all the answers. Admitting you don’t know something and asking questions shows that you are interested in learning. A growth mindset focuses on gleaning from others. While it may feel vulnerable to say, “I don’t have an answer for that”, not pretending to be an expert shows your team that you are open to growing your knowledge base. It also allows others to share their knowledge, creating momentum.
VULNERABILITY promotes understanding
If you have an extenuating circumstance it can be vulnerable to be honest and upfront about it. For example, if you have a personal issue that is affecting work it may be difficult to share. While you don’t have to go into great detail, sharing some information can help your boss or team understand why it is affecting your work or what you are going through. You may find encouragement or extra support at work just by being more open. If you do need support or help, be sure to directly ask. People cannot read your mind and often are more understanding when they have information.
vulnerability promotes relationship
All of us experience ups and downs in life. Sharing in friendships even with bosses and coworkers makes the world a richer experience. While a projection of strength may seem professional, showing the human side of who you are can make you more relatable.
Author and researcher Brene Brown describes the benefits of relational vulnerability in her book, “The Power of Vulnerability.” “In our culture, we associate vulnerability with emotions we want to avoid such as fear, shame, and uncertainty. Yet we too often lose sight of the fact that vulnerability is also the birthplace of joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity, and love." Remember, without risk, there is little reward.
Vulnerability with the Right People
It’s important to note that vulnerability works with the right people. Some people lack empathy and understanding and sadly will prey on vulnerability. Your gut feeling about colleagues can be an indicator of whether or not you should trust them enough to be vulnerable. Not everyone deserves to hear details about your life. Take time to get to know your team and observe their behavior over time to determine whether or not they are trustworthy as you consider what to share and when.
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