Over the years, we’ve learned that leaders who create the space for true vulnerability build psychologically safe work environments in which people feel welcome to be themselves. We’ve learned that when people are willing to be authentic at work, they’re also more willing to take creative risks, share their perspectives without fear of a consequence, and make valuable contributions that can only be expressed within a culture that values trust and inclusion. Emerging leaders, it’s up to you to set the tone for your workplace and build environments where vulnerability is celebrated. How do you do it?
Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here.
In the context of work, “vulnerability” has a historically bad reputation. For some, the word alone evokes caricatures of bleeding hearts or dramatic outpourings of affection. This stubborn stereotype is a holdover from the stoic portrait of the midcentury male breadwinner — unfeeling and stone-faced, the ideal image of power and professionalism — that dominated the workforce for generations.
