There is a lot of buzz these days about allowing yourself to be vulnerable and how that leads to being an authentic self-expression as an individual. Much of what has been written focuses on women and that is an area of great interest to me. It is useful to unpack vulnerability and how that leads to a more genuinely expressed woman.
As women we have traditionally kept a happy or positive outlook on events in our lives not showing the deeper feelings going on beneath the surface. Vulnerability is often misconstrued with weakness, which it is not. To be vulnerable is allow yourself to show your feelings. Exposing your feelings is not a comfortable place to be in. It is my belief that the exposure is precisely where women need to be to grow beyond our current comfort zones.
- Being Vulnerable Leads to Being Visible – When I show up in my business, at business events, with my clients, and generally in life when I feel less in control and my life is less than ideal, I am being vulnerable. Being vulnerable makes me more approachable. Suddenly I am less barracuda like and more approachable. I become visible for the skills and abilities I have. The result is that I am approached more frequently to offer my services.
- Vulnerability Leads to Authenticity – In the past I have taken on clients where I was not in alignment with the product or service being offered. Those assignments were often fraught with difficulty. The results were mixed and I was not at my best. It became clear to me that working within those constraints was inauthentic for me. Being vulnerable has enhanced my authenticity in that I now accept those assignments where I am aligned with the overall purpose and methods within the project or business.
- Vulnerability Leads to Enhanced Engagement – When working with clients and presenting authentically the level of engagement increases dramatically. The buy in from stakeholders is greater. Cooperation is heightened. Employee morale improves. The project is completed with a sense of purpose and pride.
To develop the aspect of being vulnerable book a meeting or reading with me.
All the best,
Marie-Helene