Vulnerability - your biggest Advantage as a business

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Yup, we all have them - our messy hair and feeling super vulnerable moments.
We’re just so well practiced in not wanting to be seen when things feel ‘raw’. 

So how does one operate and lead out of pure openness even when it’s uncomfortable?! 

And especially in the day and age we live in.
Situations need to be handled in a certain way to be seen as the authority we are as the leader of our business.  

​Is this true though? 

I’ve come to the conclusion it’s not. In fact, exactly this kind of mindset creates a major obstacle in the everyday business world. 🙅🏻

It is one of the pieces I help 99% of my clients with.

Goodness - I myself have worked on perfecting the skill of hiding and staying out of the ‘target zone’ my whole life - truly. I mean who wants to be vulnerable and out in the open in this world we live in, right?
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You know what though - once I’ve upleveled my mindset, I realized the importance and level of impact/ripples one can create by being vulnerable - even in the business world - yes, absolutely! 

Turns out vulnerability is a major gateway YOU WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO WITHIN YOUR OPERATION!
Lots of businesses skip this very important piece though. 
Not the ones who have the knowledge of the importance behind this ‘ripple piece’.
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We as a society associate 'vulnerability' with social exposure = social death (perceived as such by us lol)
This is not true at all though, but it’s what’s been taught to us.

Because truly - If you have the courage to fully show up in the midst of life's rawness no matter where you go - especially leading a team, collaborating with clients or while being with family and friends - now to me, that is the absolute opposite of weakness. 🚀💪🏻

I have come to understand that it is one of the purest sources of strength and compassion one can tap into.
There is nothing deeper than that. Being honest and open with yourself and others.

Throughout my career and years of closely engaging with leaders and teams all over the world, there is one deeply ingrained ‘believe’ all executives had in common. (and still do to this day) 

It is the following - In order for them to be seen as a respected leader and expert, they need to ‘represent’ themselves as untouchable and strong.

Do you feel this is true though? I personally know there's other ways and my clients and more and more businesses choose to operate in a whole new way, as their awareness shifts.

People are longing for purposeful and inspiring communication and daily interaction. And that includes being open and vulnerable with one another. Especially at work - Top to Bottom - Bottom to Top! 💁🏻

​So here’s what one will find when looking up the word ‘vulnerability’:
“...the quality of being easily hurt or attacked. Vulnerability is the state of being open to injury, or appearing as if you are. ….Vulnerability is a weakness or some area where you are exposed or at risk. … An example of being vulnerable is an animal with no protection from its prey. ”

Yikes...Not very inviting, right?! 
Now why on earth would we ever want to be vulnerable outside of our small intimate inner circle of family and close friends?

What’s the point?!

Here’s the thing though - we are all equally afraid of rejection and getting hurt. Because we’ve all experienced it!

You want to get past your fears and actually explore what incredible new opportunities lay in the field of conscious and vulnerable operation. Truly!

There’s so much potential and genius in this field of the unknown - you’ll want to have some of that.👈🏻

Just think about it. If everyone fully showed up and was given the freedom to be their authentic self - there would be no fear left - only room for creativity and massive expansion, right?! 🔥

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So let me share some even deeper questions with you. 

If you are a conscious business owner, visionary & entrepreneur in these truly rapidly changing and shifting times, give yourself a moment and answer the following two questions in your mind:


1. How willing are you to show up and be seen, despite possible uncertain outcomes? 

As mentioned before, being vulnerable takes courage - To open up first and be present within your authentic self. 

You would most definitely be setting an example beyond leadership by the book.

This is the kind of leadership that this world needs though! 
It needs YOU - the whole YOU!
Now and tomorrow - And the day after, etc.

Vulnerability in the workplace actually creates a deeper culture of trust, engagement and respect.

Probably not what you expected, right?!
But it’s true - I see it happen all the time. 

We’ve all  been there. Those uncomfortable moments of feeling exposed or insecure. There aren’t many people I know of who deeply enjoy holding a presentation in front of 100+ people just staring at them lol

That’s mostly though because you feel you need to ‘represent’ a certain YOU, when truly there’s no more powerful and impactful version of YOURSELF than YOU fully being your authentic YOU.

Thinking back and moving forward I know that every moment of vulnerability will catalyze me to go deeper with myself and reach an even deeper level of compassion for others. It has allowed me to experience great new avenues of thought and creation within my own life and within the lives of my clients.

The rawest of moments will make you glow even brighter - believe me. Because it’s the kind of glow that comes from within.

I’ve been there. Still am at times and always will be to some degree. Because we are all human. 

But don’t skip something so profound within your business operation and life!

It is one of the most enriching experiences you will ever have - once you’ve fully committed to making way for authenticity around you and within you.

Your clients will THANK YOU and so will your business as it will flourish in a way you never even dreamt of! 

So be vulnerable and see what shifts may occur for you, your team and business as a whole.

Remember - every business entity has its own CORE - Its very own heart beat and vibration. 
YOU get to decide on how it should beat each day and show up in the world.


2. How much have you encouraged trust and integrity within your business? 

You set the tone - you truly do!

One can feel a person's personality without knowing them much - simply by looking at how they show up and let others see them when they have no control over the outcome of a situation or circumstance whatsoever.

Exposing one’s thoughts and beingness authentically -
that’s trust in its purest form.
It’s what you’ll want to cultivate and create within your operation!

It all starts with you. Admitting you’re just as fragile and maybe lost at times allows others to connect with you on an emotional level. It makes way for new solutions, deeper connections and reflections of who you are as a business and individuals.

You will notice an alignment you may have never experienced before.
People choose to work and collaborate with, or purchase your services or products because you authentically show up as the business you are. 🔥🚀

Imagine how much you are contributing to your community and organization by not only showing vulnerability but by also supporting others in their vulnerabilities. 

There are a few ethical aspects you’ll want to put in place as you are making space within your business for such a deep level of operation and collaboration.

Everyone within your organization should be aware and respectful of a certain ‘ethical code’ in order to fully show up.🕵

• Boundaries (respectfully share yours and accept others)
• Reliability (being able to count on one another fully)
• Accountability (you are in this together)
• Vault (confidential information stays confidential)
• Integrity (do what’s right not what’s easy)
• Non-judgment (listen without filters on)
• Generosity (benefit of the doubt to people’s intentions/words first)

Master Degree or not - when it comes to vulnerability no one is exempt.

So ask yourself - What difference would it make if you showed up more often as you really are? How can you integrate openness of such level into your daily operation practice?

I don’t know about you but I’m deeply inspired when someone admits something faulty about themselves, and they do it in a way that is so honest, touching and courageous. 

Many of you may know of Brene Brown. She’s held an incredible TED Talk about ‘The power of vulnerability’, in which she discusses how research shows that we build connections, contentment and credibility when we “show up as we really are.”

So I encourage you - Give each other the space to fully show up - including yourself. 

Be the leader or corporation to inspire others and to help them grow beyond what they see within themselves! 

Stay open - stay curious because who knows. 
What if being vulnerable turns out to be one of your greatest qualities to have?!

I guarantee you that’s what is going to happen. 

Just a few more words by Brene Brown:
‘Every business can benefit from braver leaders and a more courageous company culture. Everyone plays a key role in shaping that culture, and developing courage in others and themselves.
Our values define us at the deepest levels—they’re what we call on when we get knocked down, and they’re what gives us the strength to try again.
It’s easy to think that courage and vulnerability only apply to our personal development and personal relationships—not the professional self that we bring to work. But let me tell you that these values are just as important in the workplace. 
A more courageous culture means colleagues can have discussions that are uncomfortable yet crucial.
It means coworkers can trust, confide, and respect each other more. It means your team can learn from failures instead of getting discouraged. And it means crystallizing your company’s values so candidates and current employees see that they can bring their whole selves to the workplace.’ - Brene Brown (The Power of Vulnerability)


Thank you for being courageous.
Thank you for making space for a new world within your personal and professional world.
Be authentic and continue forward,
Nadine 

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