Vulnerability Isn’t a Weakness — It’s the Shortcut to Trust
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else's survival guide.” – Brené Brown
We’ve all had hard days—the kind that knock the wind out of us and quietly change how we show up.
The question isn’t whether they’ll happen. It’s what we do with them.
Small Rooms, Big Lessons
Last Friday, I delivered my second keynote of the year to a small (but mighty) group of 12. And honestly? Speaking to an intimate room can feel more intimidating than a room of hundreds. There’s nowhere to hide.
But when trust exists, something powerful happens:
People open up.
Stories get shared.
Emotions surface.
Suddenly, leadership stops being about having all the answers and starts being about being human.
Sharing Reduces the Power of Worries
In my keynote, I often reference the children’s book Ruby Finds a Worry. It’s a beautiful reminder that holding onto worries gives them control—but when we share them, their power diminishes.
The same is true for adults. Vulnerability in leadership, in friendships, in community, isn’t about showing weakness—it’s about giving voice to what’s real. When we share our challenges, our worries, or our failures, we remind others (and ourselves) that we are not alone.
We all experience hard things. It’s inevitable. But it’s also what connects us, builds empathy, and strengthens the communities we are part of.
The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
Vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a shortcut to trust.
When leaders share their challenges, setbacks, and lessons, it builds connection. People respond to authenticity, not perfection. And when we allow ourselves to be seen, we give others permission to do the same.
Your hardest days often become the experiences that shape your most impactful leadership moments.
Takeaways: Leading with Vulnerability and Connection
Share selectively but authentically. You don’t have to overshare—just enough to build connection.
Normalize struggle. When people see that challenges happen to everyone, they feel safer and more engaged.
Give worries a voice. Like Ruby Finds a Worry teaches, talking about what’s hard reduces its control over us.
Model resilience. How you respond to challenges teaches others how to respond to theirs.
Build trust intentionally. Vulnerability is the foundation of meaningful, high-functioning teams and communities.
Flipping the Narrative
Next time you’re facing a challenge, try flipping the narrative: instead of hiding, lean into the experience. Share your story. Your story could become someone else’s survival guide—and the way you lead could be the difference that helps someone else rise.
Because vulnerability isn’t a weakness. It’s the bridge that connects us, gives us courage, and creates trust in the people we lead.
Strong doesn’t mean doing it alone.
If you’re looking for a keynote that strengthens resilience, leadership, and high-performing teams in hard seasons, let’s connect.
Strong doesn’t mean doing it alone.
If you’re looking for a keynote that strengthens resilience, leadership, and high-performing teams in hard seasons, let’s connect.