Vulnerability in LeadershipSample

Vulnerability: Human condition

Why is it that leaders feel that they have to show themselves to be completely perfect, resilient, healthy, happy, with impeccable families, and energetic at all hours of the day? That they are capable of solving anything in a couple of minutes, and they are always in control of any situation, no matter how complex it is? That is not only unrealistic and unsustainable, but also restricts the possibilities for growth. Modern communications are requiring from everyone a more credible, real, and imperfect leadership model, which is, in short, more vulnerable.

Vulnerability implies learning to deal with unavoidable human fragility; it is learning to be immersed in weakness and to learn how to manage it towards learning, growth, and effective performance.

The word vulnerability comes from the Latin vulnerabilis. It is composed of vulnus, which means 'wound', and the suffix -abilis, which indicates 'possibility'. Therefore, etymologically, vulnerability implies a greater probability of being hurt. Some synonyms for the word vulnerability are weakness, frailty, susceptibility, risk, and threat.

As human beings, we are vulnerable even if we do not know, feel, believe, or accept it. It is enough to stand in some financial center of the world (New York, Tokyo, etc.) among large buildings and with many people around, and to feel insignificant or vulnerable. According to Andy Crouch, to be vulnerable is to “celebrate our insignificance, our small and transitory lives” before the majesty of God, before the overwhelming reality around us, and before the lurking dangers of the world.

The psalmist David referred to the land and sky around him: “When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established, I say: What is man that you remember him, and the son of man that take care of him?" (Ps. 8:3-4 NASB). The closer someone gets to the God of the universe; the more they will experience at least two things, a sense of indescribable smallness, and at the same time, the sense of the greatness of the God who accompanies them. Both are overwhelming.

To reflect: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3 NIV).