E24: The Vulnerable Leader: Exploring the Impact of Authentic Leadership
The Power of Authentic Leadership (and Why It Builds Trust)
Leadership often comes with an unspoken expectation: Be strong. Have the answers. Don’t let them see you sweat. For years, I lived under that weight — keeping a professional distance, maintaining a polished exterior, and believing that’s what my role demanded.
But here’s what I’ve come to realize: when leaders hide behind perfection, we cut ourselves off from connection. And without connection, real leadership — the kind that inspires trust and sparks growth — can’t happen.
The Trap of Always “Having the Answers”
When you’re the one people turn to, it’s easy to believe you’re not allowed to ask for help yourself. But this mindset comes with a cost:
Isolation. You carry the weight alone, even when you’re struggling.
Burnout. The pressure to maintain control leaves little room for rest or renewal.
Distance. People may respect you, but they may not feel safe being real with you.
I learned the hard way that projecting aloofness doesn’t actually protect me — it builds walls that make leadership lonelier than it needs to be.
What Authentic Leadership Looks Like
Authentic leadership doesn’t mean oversharing every struggle. It means being honest about your humanity — acknowledging challenges, inviting collaboration, and creating space for others to do the same.
It builds trust. People are more willing to follow someone who’s real than someone who’s perfect.
It encourages openness. When you admit you don’t have all the answers, it gives others permission to contribute theirs.
It fosters resilience. Teams built on honesty recover faster from challenges because no one feels like they’re carrying it alone.
Balancing Vulnerability and Strength
Vulnerability doesn’t weaken leadership — it deepens it. But balance is key:
Share struggles in a way that invites connection, not pity.
Be honest without abdicating responsibility.
Model what it looks like to seek help and grow through challenges.
Try This at Home: A Leadership Check-In
Ask yourself: Do I feel pressure to “always have the answers”?
Reflect on impact: How might that pressure be affecting my team — or me?
Experiment: Share one honest challenge with someone you trust and notice the response.
Evaluate: Did it create more connection? Relief? Did it invite others to share back?
The takeaway: Vulnerability isn’t the opposite of strength — it’s what makes strength sustainable. When leaders lead with authenticity, they not only ease their own burden but invite others to show up fully, too.