Vulnerability at Work

Beam Training
May 13
2 min read

Before we get into it, answer this poll

What do you think of vulnerability, what comes to mind?

It builds Trust
It feels risky
I don't like it
It makes me feel super uncomfortable

Most of us have a mixed response to vulnerability, and that's exactly why it matters.

The Courage to Be Real

When we asked people what came to mind when they thought about vulnerability, the answers were mixed. For some, vulnerability builds trust. For others, it feels risky, uncomfortable or something they would rather avoid.

Vulnerability is often misunderstood as a weakness, oversharing, or being too emotional at work. But in our latest People People session, we explored a different view; vulnerability as a strength, especially when it is used with a purpose, boundaries and emotional steadiness.

Drawing on the work of Brene Brown, vulnerability can be understood as a combination of uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. At work, this might look like admitting you do not have all the answers, asking for help, giving honest feedback kindly, apologising when you get something wrong or naming a difficult truth that others are avoiding.

Vulnerability doesn't mean telling everyone everything.

Neither is it emotional dumping, losing professionalism, making others responsible for your feelings or sharing something you yourself haven't processed. In people roles, the real skill is learning what we called grounded vulnerability; being honest and human while maintaining boundaries.

Our brains are constantly scanning for safety or threat, including social threat. When someone models vulnerability well it can reduce defensiveness and signal that people do not have to be perfect, guarded or pretend they are fine. Done badly however, vulnerability can increase pressure, discomfort or uncertainty

So the question is not 'Should we be vulnerable at work?' The better questions is....

How do we do vulnerability well?

Grounded vulnerability builds trust because it shows honest humanity. It allows leaders and people professionals to say "I'm human too," without making the room carry their emotions.

When someone is vulnerable with us, our response matters. Often the most powerful thing we can do is pause, listen properly, validate the courage it took to share, ask what they need and protect the trust they have given us.