Vulnerability

"Susceptible to injury or misfortune" / "highly sensitive"

Aha…

No wonder we’d rather not be vulnerable.

Or, at the very least, avoid showing it.

From a purely evolutionary perspective, hiding vulnerability has its advantages.

The weak are the first to die—or to be abandoned by the group.

The needs of the group outweigh the needs of the individual.

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The problem: Our society has evolved faster than our survival instincts.

In the absence of real dangers, every change starts to feel like a threat.

But why is that?

Breaking from the familiar essentially means:

➡ You’re doing something different from what got you here ⬅

And what is “here”?

You’re alive. Or rather, you’re surviving.

Why, then, would you do something that suddenly carries no guarantee of success ⁉

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So, instinctively, we avoid conflict or change.

While this was beneficial in prehistoric times, now it creates problems.

✖ You don’t set boundaries.

✖ You don’t admit when you don’t know how to do something.

✖ You act tough when you feel insecure.

✖ Negative feedback hits you hard.

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The good news: You can train this! (Joyce et al., 2018)

And:

When you show vulnerability, those around you are encouraged to do the same (Delgado et al., 2021).

People *want* to help.

But how can they if they don’t know what’s going on?

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Still need convincing?

When you show vulnerability:

✅ You make fewer mistakes (*To Err is Human*, Institute of Medicine, 2000).

✅ You experience less stress (same source).

✅ You build a supportive network around you (same source).

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Let’s lead by example and inspire others.

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Bonus challenge:

Do this especially when:

✅ You’re highly skilled at something.

✅ You’re in a senior position.

✅ You notice someone hesitating.

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Recommended reading:

*The Power of Vulnerability* by Brené Brown.

Do you want to know how to start practicing this?

Are you struggling to set boundaries or communicate them?

Send me a message—I’d be happy to help you further.

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**References:**

Joyce et al., 2018

[https://lnkd.in/ec_iaZg2](https://lnkd.in/ec_iaZg2)

Delgado et al., 2021

[https://lnkd.in/etXwvSwy](https://lnkd.in/etXwvSwy)

*To Err is Human*, Institute of Medicine, 2000

[doi: 10.17226/9728](https://doi.org/10.17226/9728)

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**Photo credit:**

[www.loesje.nl](http://www.loesje.nl)