Why Being Vulnerable Isn’t Just About Sharing Tough Stuff

True vulnerability means taking the risk to show your sadness, joy, irritation, boredom, and everything in between

Image by Harvey Chan from Pixabay

As companies have begun to stress mental health and better ways to lead, the word “vulnerability” — which connects to words like “real” and “authentic” — comes up a lot: Admit when you struggle. Share your truth so you can build trust and, subsequently, relationships. Let people see your messy work-from-home space, even if it includes packages of toilet paper and the laundry from last week you swore you were going to put away.

And that — what I’ll call the Show-Me-Your-Lemons Serenade — is pretty much the song.

But what if the song was wrong, or at least, incomplete?

We’re only halfway there

When I hear people talk about vulnerability, what’s often horribly absent from the conversation is good stuff. You know, dreams. Accomplishments. That kind of thing. Part of this ties back to the idea that people want stories of overcoming trials and tribulations so they know they can overcome, too. In seeing the flaws and humanness, we can bond. As Genevieve Georget put it,

“If you talk about an effortless climb to the top, you won’t inspire anyone. But, on the other hand, if you share your vulnerable…