Why Vulnerability Makes You A Stronger Leader

Ever feel like leaders are supposed to have all the answers? Like strength means unwavering confidence and never, ever admitting you don’t know something? TaskHuman Coach Kamal Chaballout used to think that too. But stepping into a leadership role himself, he had a big “aha!” moment: being truly effective meant being open, a little bit vulnerable, making sure everyone felt heard, and having the self-awareness to say, “Hey, I could use some support here.”

As Coach Kamal puts it, “Allowing ourselves to be open, imperfect, and human strengthens the empathy and curiosity needed to truly connect with our teams.” It’s not about weakness; it’s about building a space where everyone thrives.

Ready to explore what that looks like? Coach Kamal shares five ways to cultivate a culture of vulnerability at work.

1. Redefine “Vulnerability” In Leadership

Forget what you think vulnerability means. In leadership, it’s about openness and transparency. It’s about spotting challenges and knowing when to tap into the expertise of others to find solutions. It’s also about creating a safe space where folks can speak up without fear of judgment. That means destigmatizing asking for help or admitting you don’t have all the answers. It’s about giving yourself and your team permission to show up as whole, actual humans, not just job titles or to-do lists.

Picture this:

• Admitting when a decision didn’t quite land as planned and sharing what you learned from it.

• Asking your team for their insights when things are a bit uncertain.

• Sharing a personal story that helps normalize a challenge your team is facing.

Ready to try it? Start small. Share a professional challenge you’re currently navigating, explain your thought process, and genuinely invite your team’s input. You might be surprised how quickly they start to mirror that openness!

2. Understand How Vulnerability Unlocks Psychological Safety

Think of psychological safety as the ultimate team superpower. It’s that comfortable space where you can share ideas, ask questions, and even make mistakes without worrying about embarrassment or getting in trouble. And guess what? Vulnerability is the secret ingredient in building that safety.

When leaders show they’re open and human, it’s like an invisible green light for everyone else. It says, “It’s safe here to be honest and imperfect.” And that’s where the magic happens: curiosity sparks, innovation flourishes, and collaboration goes to a whole new level.

Ready to try it? The next time someone brings up a tough issue or makes a mistake, try responding with genuine curiosity instead of criticism. Ask things like, “What did you notice when that happened?” or “What might we learn from this situation together?” or even, “What are you wrestling with, and how can I support you?”

3. Identify Challenges Of Vulnerability 

It’s totally normal for leaders to hesitate when it comes to vulnerability. Those fears are real – and valid! You might worry about:

• Being seen as weak or indecisive.

• Losing your authority or credibility.

• Feeling awkward in emotionally charged moments.

• Not knowing how to handle “big” emotions.

For a long time, leadership often equated strength with a poker face and stiff upper lip. We rarely saw examples of strong leaders who were also kind and genuinely empathetic. But times are changing.

Ready to try it? Pick one belief you hold about vulnerability and leadership. Ask yourself, “Is this belief actually helping me and my team right now?” It’s an invitation to gently challenge those old assumptions that might be holding you back from deeper connection and more effective communication.

4. View Vulnerability As The Key For Empathy & Curiosity

When leaders embrace vulnerability, something pretty cool happens: their empathy and openness naturally deepen. You become more attuned to what others are feeling and experiencing, which builds trust and, yes, even loyalty.

Curiosity also gets a massive boost. When you don’t feel the pressure to have all the answers, you’re truly able to listen and understand what your team members actually need. This means less frustration and more effective solutions.

Ready to try it? In your next one-on-one, focus on being truly present and curious. Genuinely ask, “How are you doing, really? What’s been on your mind lately?” Then, listen — truly listen — to understand how you can best show up and support them. It makes a huge difference.

5. Start With Small Acts Of Courage

You don’t need grand gestures to lead with vulnerability. It’s built through small, consistent moments of courage:

• Taking responsibility for a misstep.

• Asking for support when you need it.

• Acknowledging uncertainty.

• Showing genuine appreciation for individuals and the team.

These little acts send a powerful message to your team: this is a supportive, human-centric culture where everyone can truly thrive.

Final Thought

Vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s a profound relational strength that builds a solid foundation for sustainable and thriving workplaces. Leading with openness creates environments where empathy, curiosity, and psychological safety don’t just exist, they flourish. And when those qualities are present, the data shows better returns in the long run. By practicing these small, intentional acts of vulnerability, teams are not only more resilient and innovative but also, simply put, more human.

What’s one small act of vulnerability you’re willing to try this week? For 1:1 support specific to your work context, reach out to a leadership coach like Kamal Chaballout.

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