How vulnerability strengthens company reputation

I’ve watched founders try every personal branding strategy in the book. But what really works? Letting their guard down. Not the polished LinkedIn posts. Not the humble brags. Just showing up as an actual human being with real struggles, doubts, and messy progress. But most founders think it’s “too risky” to work. After working with founders through authentic personal branding and seeing the results… I’m convinced vulnerability is the highest-impact strategy most founders are avoiding. Here’s why dropping the facade changes everything: [1] It breaks through the noise While everyone else posts generic “hustle harder” content, your honest take on failure cuts through instantly. Authenticity is so rare in founder content that it immediately stands out in the AI noise [2] It builds unshakeable trust When you admit you don’t have all the answers, people actually believe you when you share what’s working. Vulnerability creates psychological safety that turns followers into advocates. [3] It attracts your actual ideal clients The founders willing to work with you aren’t looking for perfection, they’re looking for results and honesty. Pretending everything is smooth sailing attracts tire-kickers, not serious buyers. [4] It creates magnetic connection People don’t relate to your wins. They relate to your struggles. That relatability transforms casual followers into genuine champions of your work. [5] It unlocks referral goldmines When people feel connected to your story, they naturally want to help you succeed. Those authentic relationships generate more warm introductions than any networking event ever will. [6] It positions you as refreshingly real In a sea of “crushing it” posts, being honest about the hard parts makes you memorable. That differentiation alone is worth more than perfect branding. [7] It compounds into authority Consistent vulnerability builds a reputation for authenticity that can’t be faked or copied. People start coming to you specifically because they know you’ll tell them the truth. The more human you appear, the more professional opportunities you attract. What’s the biggest mindset shift that’s transformed how you show up in your business?

In which of these 2 scenarios, will a sales rep sell more blenders? a) She nails the demo, flawlessly blending a smoothie in front of potential customers b) Same exact pitch, but when she pours the smoothie, she spills it all over the table Dr. Richard Wiseman conducted this exact study. More people bought the blender when she made an absolute mess. This phenomenon is called the "other shoe effect." The underlying principle: We instinctively know people aren’t perfect. So when someone appears too polished in high-stakes moments—job interviews, pitches, first dates—part of our brain asks: “What are they hiding? When does the other shoe drop?” The longer someone appears flawless, the more suspicious we get. This creates a dangerous cycle: • You try to appear perfect in the first impression • The other person's brain gets increasingly distracted wondering about your hidden flaws • When your imperfection finally shows (and it will), it hits much harder than if you'd acknowledged it upfront I learned this the hard way. When I first wrote Captivate, I tried to sound like an academic. My editor called it out: “This doesn’t sound like you.” So I rewrote the intro to be me, very me in a vulnerable way: “Hi, I’m Vanessa. I’m a recovering awkward person.” That vulnerability built instant trust. By dropping my shoe early, I built trust immediately and let readers know they were in good company. This is also how I introduce myself in conversations, and I have noticed everyone laughs and relaxes when I say it. There are a couple situations where you can actively use this effect: • Job interviews: After sharing your strengths, say "One area I’m still growing in is public speaking—which is why this role excites me." • Investor pitches: After a strong open, confess: "One challenge we’re still working through is [X], and here’s how we’re tackling it." • Team meetings: Proactively raise project risks, then offer a solution. Don’t let others discover it first. Rules to remember: • Choose authentic vulnerabilities, not fake ones • Drop your shoe AFTER establishing competence, not before • Pair vulnerability with accountability - show how you're addressing it Remember: The goal isn't to appear perfect. It's to appear trustworthy. And trustworthy people acknowledge their imperfections before others have to discover them.

Many executives try to project perfection. But perfect people make me nervous. It either triggers my insecurities (because I know how imperfect I am) OR it makes me wonder what they’re hiding and why. Because, generally, perfection is unattainable for all but a few fleeting moments if at all. So the odds are, they’re not showing their scars. And EVERYONE has scars unless they’ve never tried anything hard. The leaders who earn real respect show their scars…They’re real. I once had a commanding officer ask us to get him up to speed on a weapon system we were using that he used too back when he was us. Did it crack our confidence in him? Not in the least. It just made us want to work for him even more. We knew he’d used it well when carrying it back in his day. He and our Master Chief were legends. But he had 24 hours in his day just like we did. And he was using his hours to lead us well, and make massively important decisions - instead of staying great at what he used to do. "Here's what I'm thinking, but I could be wrong." "I made that mistake before, and here's what I learned." "I don't know the answer, but let's figure it out together." “You can find out that’s gonna hurt, or you can just let me tell you about this scar right here.” This isn't weakness. It's authenticity. And authenticity is what you call vulnerability when you’re not scared anymore. If we want people to bring us problems early, we have to show them it's safe to not have all the answers. If we want innovation, we demonstrate that intelligent failure is acceptable. I tell my folks all the time “I’ll never tell you to make no mistakes. Just make new ones.” And I mean new to ALL of us. Not just themselves. How are they not going to repeat my mistakes if they don’t know about ‘em. But it’s tough for my teams, because I am a wildly aggressive failer (not failure) so they have to get pretty creative to make more mistakes faster than I do. Perfect leaders create teams that wait for permission. Authentic leaders create teams that take initiative. #leadership #authenticity #culture #teamwork #growth #vulnerability #development

Your audience doesn't want your perfection. They're secretly begging for your vulnerability. (The truth about human connection nobody talks about) For years, I believed the opposite. I thought my job as a speaker was to: → Hide my struggles → Project complete confidence → Show that I'm perfect in every sense (which I'm not) Then one speech changed everything. Speaking to 40+ strangers, I forgot the script. I got lost... completely Forced to speak from raw experience, I shared my journey as an introvert from Pakistan who once couldn't say his own name without stuttering. The result? Standing ovation. Deeper connection. People reached out to tell they loved it. The research confirms what I stumbled upon: Audiences trust speakers who reveal strategic vulnerability far more than those who appear flawless. The truth about speaking impact: 1/ Perfect speakers create DISTANCE When you never show weakness: → You become unreachable → You trigger the audience's insecurities → You build walls instead of bridges The human brain is wired to distrust perfection. 2/ Strategic vulnerability creates TRUST Not random oversharing, but calculated openness: → Share struggles relevant to your message → Reveal your journey, not just your arrival → Connect your vulnerability to their challenges 3/ Your story unlocks THEIR story When you share your vulnerability: → You give permission for others to acknowledge theirs → You create a "me too" moment of recognition → You transform from lecturer to trusted guide Remember: Your audience doesn't want to be impressed. They want to be understood. 4/ The vulnerability sweet spot → Share challenges you've overcome (not current crises) → Connect vulnerability to valuable lessons → Maintain competence while showing humanity When I coach executive leaders, this shift changes everything: From "I must be perfect" to "I must be authentic." From "What will they think of me?" to "How can I serve them?" ♻ REPOST to help your network embrace imperfection. 📌 What's one authentic story you've been afraid to share that might actually build deeper connection with your audience?

Everyone THINKS vulnerability = authenticity on LinkedIn. The data shows that's DEAD wrong. What your feed celebrates as "brave sharing" is often reputation-destroying narcissism that sophisticated decision-makers instantly recognize. LinkedIn celebrates vulnerability. But most people are doing it DEAD wrong. There's a massive difference between strategic vulnerability and narcissistic victimhood. You've seen them in your feed: • Mental health struggles monetized for likes • CEOs posting tear-faced selfies after layoffs • Employees publicly antagonizing ex-employers These go viral short-term but create lasting reputation damage that sophisticated decision-makers spot instantly. The problem: A toxic alliance between: LinkedIn's algorithm: "I'll reward anything attention-grabbing because it means more ads served" Your status-seeking brain: "Any attention means I matter" Together they create a feedback loop incentivizing the exact behavior that undermines your professional reputation. Science confirms this through the "Pratfall Effect"—vulnerability only builds trust when coming from already competent individuals. When a true expert admits limitations, we trust them more. When an average performer does the same, we trust them less. Real vulnerability means showing battle scars, not open wounds: • "My first company failed. Here are 10 lessons I've applied to my second venture." • "Here are the effective techniques I've used to manage anxiety." • "I lost my job. Here's where I excel and how I can help your company." Vulnerability works, but only when it reveals your strength through past weaknesses—not your desperation for validation. While everyone else scrambles to show their wounds for algorithm points, you now have the unfair advantage of understanding REAL vulnerability. The professionals who will win in the next decade aren't those who perform their struggles—they're the ones who transform them into value for others. Every battle scar has potential to become either: • A desperate cry for validation • A masterclass in resilience and growth Choose wisely. Your reputation isn't built on your struggles—it's built on how you overcome them.

The strength they never taught you about: Strategic Vulnerability. "Vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage," as Brené Brown wisely noted. I don't think she realized how much corporate America would misunderstand those words. Too many leaders hear "vulnerability" and think: • Emotional dumping • Oversharing personal struggles • Being "soft" when you should be "strong" But what if vulnerability is actually a strategic advantage? Research from the Kellogg School of Management found that leaders who admit their flaws are rated 22% more effective in leadership capability than those who try to appear flawless. Let me reframe this for you: Strategic vulnerability isn't weakness. It's precision strength. It's knowing exactly when to: • Say "I don't know, but I'll find out" • Admit a mistake before it becomes someone else's problem • Share relevant challenges that humanize you without compromising your authority • Ask for help instead of drowning silently When I coach executives, their biggest fear is often: "If I show vulnerability, I'll lose respect." Here is what my 30+ years of leadership experience has taught me: "People never follow perfect leaders. They follow authentic ones who make it safe for everyone to bring their full, imperfect selves to work." The most powerful words in leadership aren't "I have all the answers." They're "I hear you." "I made a mistake." "I need your help." "I trust you with this." This doesn't mean exposing every doubt or fear. That's not strategy. That's a diary entry. Strategic vulnerability is purposeful, contextual, and measured. It's about building what psychologist Amy Edmondson calls "psychological safety." This is especially crucial for creating truly inclusive environments where underrepresented voices, including LGBTQ+ team members, feel valued and heard. When leaders model appropriate vulnerability, they give everyone permission to: • Take smart risks • Speak uncomfortable truths • Challenge outdated thinking • Bring their full brilliance to work Question for you: What's one way you could practice strategic vulnerability with your team this week? Is there a mistake you could acknowledge? A question you could ask? A truth you could speak? Share below. I'm learning alongside you. For more on radical kindness and strategic vulnerability in leadership, connect with me for upcoming workshops and coaching availability. In Community and Conversation, Jim

Most leaders think they need to have all the answers. That’s not true. Leading one of the fastest-growing certification companies, I’ve learned it’s never about pretending to have it all together. It’s about showing up real, even when it’s hard. Let’s be honest: business is messy. There are days when nothing goes as planned. The real turning point for me? Owning up to the uncertainty and letting the team see it. Here’s what happens when you lead with vulnerability: 1. People trust you more. They see the real you—not just the title. That’s when real trust starts. 2. Openness becomes normal. When leaders admit they don’t have it all covered, teams feel safe. They speak up, share ideas, and flag risks before they become big problems. 3. The team grows stronger. Challenges are easier together. Sharing struggles builds a sense of “we’re in this as a team.” 4. Perfection is out. Progress is in. No one relates to a perfect boss. Everyone relates to someone getting better and bringing them along. Great leadership isn’t about looking bulletproof. It’s about being human, honest, and willing to learn with your team. That’s what people remember. That’s how legacies are built. How do you see vulnerability playing a role in your leadership style? Great leadership isn’t about appearing invincible - it’s about being real. P.S. How do you approach vulnerability in leadership? ♻️ If you think this post could help someone in your network, hit repost. 👋🏼 Hey, I’m Josh - I share posts that empower busy people to lead better, build healthier, happier workplaces and incredible teams that make a difference in this world. Hit ‘follow’ to keep updated.

Most leaders say trust is their top priority. But there's one ingredient almost everyone overlooks—until it's too late: 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. We often think of trust as something we earn through competence and reliability. But true, deep trust? It starts with showing your human side. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 1. It builds authentic connections When you're willing to share your struggles, doubts, and mistakes, you become relatable. Your team sees you as a real person, not just a title. 2. It encourages open communication By being vulnerable first, you create a safe space for others to do the same. This leads to more honest conversations and better problem-solving. 3. It demonstrates humility Admitting you don't have all the answers shows confidence, not weakness. It invites collaboration and diverse perspectives. 4. It fosters innovation When people feel safe to take risks and share unconventional ideas, creativity flourishes. 5. It builds resilience Teams that have seen their leader navigate challenges openly are better equipped to handle adversity together. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: Vulnerability isn't about oversharing or being emotionally reckless. It's about strategic openness that serves your team and mission. 𝗦𝗼, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆? • Share lessons from past failures • Admit when you don't know something • Ask for help when you need it • Acknowledge your emotions in challenging situations • Be transparent about the reasoning behind tough decisions Remember, your team doesn't expect perfection. They crave authenticity. By embracing vulnerability, you're not diminishing your authority. You're enhancing it. You're showing that true strength lies in being fully human. In my years coaching food industry leaders, I've seen vulnerability transform struggling teams into high-performing powerhouses. It's the secret ingredient that turns a group of individuals into a cohesive unit ready to face any challenge. Step up, show your true self, and lead your team into a future built on trust and strength. Your team is waiting for you to lead the way. Let's build trust that lasts. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧: 🤲 https://lnkd.in/eaBdN_yu 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 🥖 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 😋 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: With leaders across the Food Industry in our weekly newsletter at: https://lnkd.in/eXBBcAvK 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 😊 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨 🎙️ 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭: A Student of Leadership - Powered by UniPro Foodservice, and our Leadership Development program at: https://lnkd.in/ezxkWnfW

What Does True Strength Look Like? Is it the ability to command a room, to always project confidence, or to lead without hesitation? For years, I believed that strength meant showing no vulnerability—projecting an image of invincibility at all times. This belief was particularly strong early in my career, during my time at Drexel Burnham in the late 1980s. Back then, it was an era defined by the “Masters of the Universe” mentality, where power, control, and unwavering confidence ruled the day. Vulnerability, in that world, was seen as a liability. As time went on, my perspective began to shift. Beyond being a girl dad and family man, engaging with accomplished entrepreneurs and Family Office leaders revealed a crucial truth: vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. Acknowledging imperfections often lays the groundwork for deeper trust, meaningful connections, and authentic leadership. This understanding didn’t happen overnight. Influenced by years of experience and thinkers like Brené Brown, I’ve learned that vulnerability isn’t about exposing flaws—it’s about having the courage to be real. Authenticity fosters trust and collaboration, particularly in environments where trust is the foundation of success. In the Family Office world, relationships often matter as much as strategy. Admitting you don’t have all the answers allows others to see your humanity, strengthening bonds and creating enduring partnerships. Vulnerability shows the courage to step beyond ego and embrace openness, driving progress. It’s not just about admitting what you don’t know—it’s about showing humanity in ways that inspire and empower others. Sharing personal stories of failure can transform relationships, turning mistakes into lessons that encourage risk-taking without fear of judgment. Admitting emotional struggles—whether it’s gratitude for a team’s support or moments of being overwhelmed—fosters empathy and reminds others that even leaders face challenges. Vulnerability also thrives in asking for feedback—not as a formality but as a genuine desire to grow. Leaders who value unfiltered feedback empower their teams to speak openly, creating a culture where ideas thrive without fear of hierarchy. If I could offer one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be to embrace vulnerability in all its forms. Sharing your authentic self—whether by admitting challenges, seeking help, or expressing gratitude—encourages others to do the same. It creates a culture of respect, trust, and collaboration, where people feel valued and empowered. True leadership isn’t about projecting invincibility. It’s about inspiring through connection, authenticity, and trust. Vulnerability redefines strength—not as perfection but as the courage to show up, embrace challenges, and connect deeply with others. It’s one of the greatest strengths we can offer in business, relationships, and life.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about this 👇🏼 Dora Vanourek’s quote needs to be considered! Building trust, creating a culture of openness and leading by example. For me, leading a startup, this has been crucial. The challenges, uncertainties and constant changes make one thing clear… That pretending to have it all under control is a losing game! Here’s why being open and showing vulnerability matters more than you think: 1. It builds trust When you’re honest about challenges, your team sees you as real, not just a title. Trust is built on authenticity. 2. It creates a culture of openness When leaders are transparent, employees feel safe to share concerns, ideas and even failures leading to better decisions and growth. 3. It supports resilience Startups (and businesses in general) are unpredictable. Acknowledging struggles brings teams together rather than isolating them. 4. It makes leadership human People don’t connect with perfection. They connect with leaders who are real, take responsibility and grow alongside their teams. Great leadership isn’t about appearing invincible - it’s about being real. P.S. How do you approach vulnerability in leadership? ♻️ If you think this post could help someone in your network, hit repost. 👋🏼 Hey, I’m Laura Morgan- I share posts that empower busy people to build healthier, happier workplaces and teams. Hit ‘follow’ to keep updated.