Just Be Vulnerable

Not as catchy as Nike’s slogan, “Just Do It,” but equally important!

Vulnerability on paper does not appear that hard, but in practice can seem impossible. Acclaimed author and sociologist, Brené Brown, has helped millions see the importance of being vulnerable. She argues vulnerability is essential for trust, and trust ultimately leads to results. Yet, why if we know that vulnerability is good for us do we still have so much trouble practicing it?

I spent the past hour talking to a colleague about how an employee of theirs cannot ask for help. They cannot or choose not to be vulnerable. I had lunch with a former student and when I asked him what we should be teaching in college the first thing he said was “vulnerability.”  He went on to say that every good employee he knows is one who is willing to ask for help and be a sponge for learning.

A client told me as well that he all too often has seen individuals fail because they didn’t ask for help.  Has that ever happened to you? How do I raise my own hand in a blog post? 

I try to teach students to ask questions during exams or on an assignment so they can be more successful.  Most won’t, but the successful ones do. One student just the other day was even brazen enough to tell the rest of the class not to worry, they would ask the questions that others were too afraid to ask. 

Why don’t more people ask for help? I am not an acclaimed researcher like Brené Brown, but fear seems to me to be a reasonable response. Fear of failure, loss, or humiliation… perhaps? Life does not teach us how to deal with this fear and so we hold onto it. However, letting go can open us up to greater possibilities, not only in work but in life.

The Remarkable Challenge

Ask yourself: What is one area where you need to ask for help? What is a fear you need to let go? Where is one place you need to be vulnerable?

Honest answers to these questions will make you and the world a better place.