Vulnerability in LeadershipSample

Let them see what you have inside

Vulnerability allows collaborators or followers to get close enough to the leader so that the leader’s internal content can be seen, released, and then impact them. If followers are far away, they will have no way of coming into close contact with that internal reality, with the battles and the victories, with the philosophy to lead, with the accumulated wisdom, with the virtues and the defects of the leader. That internal reality is made up, on the one hand, by strengths, abilities, skills, knowledge, focus, talents, and gifts; and on the other hand, by weaknesses, deficiencies, and imperfections. Being willing to show yourself as you are shows vulnerability in leadership, and represents self-knowledge, maturity, intentionality, and risk. That is why vulnerability builds trust. In this regard, Henry Cloud says that in order to build trust in people, you have to be vulnerable enough so that they can identify with you, so that you are not so different that you seem like an alien. And at the same time, be strong enough so they know they can rely on you.

Vulnerability makes the internal power of the leader available to the followers. In the context of Christian leadership, it means letting others see the inward life close enough to allow them to perceive Christ, His work, His life, and His power in the leader, and to draw God’s essence from there. The idea is not that they may copy schemes, but rather that they may perceive and be inspired by seeing the presence and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit and God's faithfulness in the leader's life.

To reflect: Vulnerability implies being intentional in showing the internal, especially Christ in us as the hope of glory.