Authentic and Vulnerable Leadership

Few workplace leaders are as organized or passionate as Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation. She is one of the most inspiring and likable characters on TV, proving that a warm and cheery disposition can prompt effective leadership.

Leslie is an excellent example of authentic and vulnerable leadership and why it is so effective. Her thoughtfulness is best exemplified by the care she puts into the personalized gifts she provides for the Parks and Recreation department employees. They certainly notice her hard work and caring attitude — and they repay her by throwing similarly passionate support into her campaign.‍

Being Authentic‍

Being authentic at work happens when you feel safe, secure, and comfortable (and maybe even powerful) by showing up as your whole self. You need a deep sense of belonging and psychological safety to show up authentically and fully.

Being authentic also helps us set the stage for creating lasting, meaningful impacts in our roles. Studies have found that the more employees feel authentic, the greater their job satisfaction, engagement, and self-reported performance. It is a win-win when people show up as their authentic selves at work.

‍Being Vulnerable‍

Let's start by saying what vulnerability is not. It is not being weak or submissive. Instead, it is the courage to be yourself. Opportunities for vulnerability present themselves to us at work every day. It means being there for someone at work who has suffered a loss or being open and honest about your own struggles to help and motivate others. It means replacing "professional distance and cool" with uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. It is about creating a genuine human connection with others, and from that connection comes a feeling of belonging and trust that can engage teams and build communities and cultures.‍

Authentic and Vulnerable Leadership‍

Leaders who are authentic, compassionate, and vulnerable have the power to transform organizations. No matter the level in an organization — CEO, team lead, or project manager — being an authentic leader starts with building relationships, then fostering trust and confidence in people to inspire them to work hard. Leaders who leverage their skills galvanize employees to be more engaged and innovative. They also motivate people to improve because they have been honest about their own learnings and mistakes. You must earn that trust, and it doesn't happen overnight.

One of my clients, "Mary" had a team that was lifeless and not engaged. Mary leveraged a directive style and was overly concerned about being perceived as perfect. As Mary experimented with a more authentic and vulnerable style, she saw several changes emerge in the team. There was more conversation about the root causes of issues and solutions. The team's thinking was becoming more out of the box. Employees were more willing to speak out, share ideas, and try new solutions. Mary also observed that the team became more engaged in learning and developing. At year-end, the team had smashed its goals, and management was considering several members for promotion.

‍Benefits of Authentic and Vulnerable Leadership‍

Here are five ways that being a vulnerable and authentic leader helps you professionally.

1. You are more relatable and trusted. Vulnerability makes you relatable because you form a stronger emotional connection with the team. To be a true leader, the organization needs to look up to you and be inspired — but equally critical is for people to relate to the leader.

Moreover, people trust authentic people. Vulnerability and keeping life "real" fosters trust and, thus, a critical component of leadership success. Trust is necessary for employees to stay at companies, engage, and give their all. Personal and business relationships depend on it.

2. Authenticity and vulnerability demonstrate confidence. People believe that those who are open and comfortable in their own skin are confident with themselves and their abilities.

3. You will drive and create an accountability culture. Being a leader means taking responsibility for others and ourselves. You can be a great leader and a role model if you admit mistakes, take criticism, show vulnerability, and do it all in stride. Showing vulnerability and owning our experiences, both good and bad, demonstrates the strength of character and emotional intelligence, which are essential qualities for leaders. And by doing so, you lead by example and create a culture where the entire team is accountable.

Moreover, no leader is infallible. A company with fully engaged team members is much more likely to succeed. And when leaders embrace this and share their mistakes, it leads to a more open company culture, where good ideas can come from any employee rather than just the top person in a group. When team members recognize that their own input and leadership are valued, it fosters a sense of shared ownership over the organization's success.

4. When leaders exhibit authenticity and vulnerability, it increases connection and creativity in the team. It allows employees to relax and pursue knowledge and professional growth in a supportive environment, enhancing productivity and loyalty. Leaders who embrace their vulnerabilities - whether making a mistake or struggling with the solution to a problem - inspire cultures of creativity and increased contribution.

Not only does vulnerability make you seem more human and approachable to your team, but being vulnerable will allow you to grow in leaps and bounds. The vulnerability allows you to open yourselves to options and solutions we may not have seen otherwise. A leader admitting they don't have all the answers will also enable the team to make meaningful contributions and feel more valued by the company.

5. Vulnerable and authentic leaders build stronger teams and talent pipelines for organizations. Being vulnerable does not mean being emotional. To be a vulnerable leader, you must be honest with yourself and others. You can admit to not having all the answers and when you need help. These build trust between you and your team and can create some of the most powerful connections you will have at work. Being a vulnerable leader takes courage and confidence — the results will be worth it!

Being an authentic leader doesn't require you to always be correct. Leaders are human, as are the teams that work with them. By showing vulnerability, you'll connect with your teams because you'll be authentic. People know when a leader is authentic — it is human nature. The team will also understand the importance of developing and being more open to new ideas and ways of doing this. Demonstrating an authentic and vulnerable leadership style creates an educated, engaged, and empowered workforce that you can rely on to become the next generation of leaders. Authenticity will motivate teams and improve your chances for success.

‍Authentic and Vulnerable Leadership De-Railers‍

Several barriers prevent leaders from becoming authentic and vulnerable. Many individuals feel that others will judge them if they demonstrate these characteristics. They believe that it will open themselves up to criticism and ridicule.

Others have embraced perfectionism; when you are authentic and vulnerable, others may not consider you perfect. Those suffering from Imposter Syndrome fear others discovering they are frauds.

Of course, none of this is true. These are just our overly protective inner voices trying to protect us. If we listen to these voices, we will not be as effective and engaging as we would have been by adopting these behaviors. You must understand when these voices arise and the price you will pay for not engaging in these qualities.

Also, it may be challenging for some people to adopt these approaches if they do not fit the organization's culture. In this case, you should slowly bring in these behaviors and discuss the benefits you have seen by doing it. You want to become a proponent of this type of leadership.

Becoming a vulnerable and authentic leader can sometimes feel daunting and scary, but it is worth it. The benefits to you and your organization are enormous. And as Leslie said, "Sometimes you have to make the hardest climb to see the most beautiful sunrise."

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Want more insights?

Check out this article where I share the 7 Steps to Leap from In-House Technician to Legal Leader. Learn my time-tested strategy for in-house counsel to leap from in-house technician to legal leader so you can have greater impact and control of your career, compensation, and courage.