Brene Brown gave me much to think about. I have watched her
Vulnerability talk several times now, and each time I find myself relaxing a
little more, letting down the wall of “don’t go there!” I appreciated her
description of pushing back on vulnerability rather than giving into it. It’s
difficult to give in into vulnerability when you’ve fought to not be, not show vulnerability.
I have given this “vulnerability” thing a great deal of
thought. Initially, I was going to simply submit “something…anything.” Then, in
conversations with colleagues (Carla and Jannis) I began to chew on, mull-over,
and wrestle with vulnerability. Taking into consideration Brene Brown’s talk on
the topic, I have written, revised, edited, deleted, rewritten my thoughts on
vulnerability…and this is what I have to say on the issue regarding my personal
leadership skills.
For the past nine years, I have worked in one position or
another of leadership-from facilitator/admin designee to BTSA & PAR district
lead, to Homeless Liaison. Each position had me working with vulnerable
populations.
Teachers are a vulnerable lot…well…at least the passionate
ones. When a teacher is comfortable enough to share ideas, excitement of what
they are teaching or how wonderful/funny/goofy their students are, that is
vulnerability.
BTSA &PAR teachers are vulnerable as they are constantly
being observed either formally or informally, which can cause anxiety. And
homeless families…need I say more?
What I have come to understand is that in order for me to
work effectively with each of these populations, I have had to build a sense of
trust and a place where they feel safe enough to be honest and vulnerable. I
too, have had to be vulnerable with them. Without realizing it, I have created
safe havens for individuals to be vulnerable, knowing that what they share with
me is not shared with others.
Leaders need to have a degree of vulnerability with their
peers to build a sense of trust. In doing so, the exchange of ideas, thoughts,
conflicting opinions can be discussed and addressed without fear of
repercussion or shame. Building a community safe for the expression of
vulnerability is the responsibility of the leader, who beings with modeling
vulnerability first.
