Vol. 25: Vulnerability is Strength

This week I watched this great TED Talk from Brene Brown on vulnerability as pre-work for my Goodwill Senior Leader Program, and it made me reflect on vulnerability as a strength.

I pride myself on my vulnerability. I aim to be an open book (at least as much as I reasonably can).

The ability to be vulnerable - to open up to others about who you really are and how you truly feel - takes more strength than bottling up.

It's easy to hunker down. It's hard to open up.

In her talk, Brene gives the original definition of "courage" when it came into the English language: "tell the story of who you are with your whole heart."

Vulnerability requires courage, but it's necessary for true connection. Connection = courage + compassion + vulnerability.

But vulnerability is more than being authentic. It's leaning into discomfort and revealing things about yourself that authenticity doesn't innately require you to.

Ex. You can be authentic in your interactions with your coworker in the break room while not being vulnerable about the fact that you're worried about your friend whose going through a rough patch.

Vulnerability is one layer deeper than authenticity. It's integrity. It builds trust and connection.

You can’t be vulnerable and lie at the same time.

As a marketer, I think about branding a lot, both personally and professionally.

Your brand is your reputation. It's how you show up in the world and what people associate you with when they think of you - good or bad. You can be intentional about building it or not, but it exists regardless.

A good brand is a strong, positive connection built on trust. It's a relationship. And relationships are built through integrity and consistency and amplified by vulnerability.

You can’t be vulnerable and lie at the same time.

But again, vulnerability is uncomfortable. It requires energy and going against the natural urge to say "I'm good. How about you?" or omitting that initial thought that would've strengthened your relationship but you omitted it because you didn't want to open up.

So as a leader, a coworker, a friend, a partner: are you being vulnerable to build true connections with those around you and with yourself?

See you next Thursday, Steppers.

We will succeed,

Grayson

​graysonstepanek.com​

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Song of the Week:

DOG Ritt Momney PREVIEW   ​

Ritt's back with his first album since Sunny Boy in 2021, and while it's a slower grow on me compared to his others because of it's more subdued soundscape (which is kind of unfair to him because his other albums are some of my favorite ever), it's something only Ritt could pull off. Ritt's one of my favorites artists, his album Her and All of My Friends is a personal top 10 and Sunny Boy is top 25, and HEADSTART and (If) The Book Doesn't Sell are both some of my favorite songs ever. Also, he's a phenomenal performer - I was blessed to see him in Houston with Seth. Talk about vulnerability. Ritt is your guy. An amazing voice; phenomenal, relatable songwriting; and a unique, folk/pop/indie sound.