Vulnerability, defined as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure,” gets a bad rap! The word is usually synonymous with weakness and lack of strength. In reality, research shows that vulnerability and courage go hand in hand. In fact vulnerability, often called vulnerability trust, is a necessity when building a productive and positive workplace.

Vulnerability trust requires effort and training. However, these dividends make the effort and training worthwhile.

Vulnerability boosts innovation and creativity. When someone shares an idea or questions the status quo, a risk is taken and they feel vulnerable. The idea may be questioned or even shot down and that person may feel shot down as well. To have innovation in the workplace, team members must feel safe enough to share ideas without the fear of feeling personally ridiculed or judged. Take it from Brené Brown who has researched this concept for over 10 years, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, trust, and engagement.”

Vulnerability facilitates getting out of silos. To collaborate with ease, team members need to share their strengths, goals, fears, and weaknesses. This creates a level of confidence in the team, and people work better together. It is easier to rely on someone to finish or check your work when you trust them both professionally and personally. It is more comfortable to take criticism when you know it isn’t personal. Vulnerability trust unconsciously indicates that your team members are competent and secure enough to share critiques, and not feel scorned on a personal level.

Vulnerability increases productivity and accountability. Taking the risk out of being honest deepens bonds between co-workers, managers, and employees. When co-workers connect on an individual level, they form a team. Being part of a team boosts accountability and gives people the motivation to do outstanding work and get better results. This bond creates accountability because they don’t want to let their associates down!

If you want to have vulnerability trust, it is an investment but, as you can see, there is a great return on your investment!
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