Brené Brown may be one of the most influential people today: she has one of the top ten TED Talks with 60 million views, multiple best-selling books, 2.5 million Instagram followers, popular podcasts with high-profile guests, etc. Not only does she research vulnerability but she practices it by frequently sharing examples of where she has stumbled. I think it’s what makes people able to actually hear her teachings.
I thought of Brené when listening to writer/actor Dan Levy who shared his personal struggles. “We want to seem like we have our shit together,” he said. “But sometimes there is more power in admitting that we don’t have our shit together.”
Both Brown and Levy illustrate the surprising value that comes from authentically owning our foibles and flaws instead of pretending to be models of efficiency or effectiveness. Not only does the admission provide us with self-compassion, but it also allows others to see themselves in us and for them to provide us with assistance or grace.
It may be tempting to come across as calm, cool, and collected but vulnerability is the gateway to deep and trusting communication.
