Vulnerability is NOT Weakness, It’s A Strength and Builds Trust

Dr. Brené Brown is an expert on the topic of vulnerability and has done a ton of research about it. She explains that “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness. In our culture, we associate vulnerability with emotions we want to avoid such as fear, shame, and uncertainty. Yet we too often lose sight of the fact that vulnerability is also the birthplace of joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity, and love.” In her TED Talk “The Power of Vulnerability” she explains that we must tell the story of who we are with our whole heart and be OK with being imperfect and let go of who we “should be.”

Vulnerability is authenticity and necessary. We live in a vulnerable world, and we must not numb ourselves. She offers an invitation and a promise that when we drop the armor that protects us from feeling vulnerable, we open ourselves to the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.

Vulnerability Builds Trust
By opening yourself up a little and making yourself vulnerable, it’s possible to build trust much quicker. But you also have to be careful not to make yourself vulnerable in a way that undermines your credibility and confidence. It’s essential that the vulnerability doesn’t compromise your competence or confidence. There is a difference between being too open, (TMI/over sharing) and being vulnerable.

Vulnerability is Wholehearted
Dr. Brown says, “the word I use to describe people who can live from a place of vulnerability is wholehearted.” Being wholehearted is a practice—one that we can choose to cultivate through empathy, gratitude, and awareness of our vulnerability armor.

Sure, it’s totally normal to be afraid of opening up to someone you’re newly involved with. There’s a lot at stake when we start getting close with someone new, friend or lover, but if we’d like to reap the benefits of having meaningful connections, vulnerability is a MUST!

Without vulnerability there is NO connection!
If you’re consistently unable to connect with people, that means that you aren’t expressing yourself –your interests, goals and authentic self or that you’re hiding out of fear that people might reject you. Either way, the end result is that you have no connections.
At some point, you have to be interested out loud, if you want to be interesting and if you want to connect. And that takes strength!

People who are willing to be vulnerable are a lot more connected with themselves, and with others. It comes down to feeling worthy of being loved. But it starts with us –the person we must love first is ourselves.

Vulnerability makes you strong and easier to connect with! 

CHECK OUT MY VIDEOS ALL ABOUT VULNERABILITY…

Vulnerability Is The Cornerstone of Confidence

3 Reasons Why Vulnerability is SO Important

6 TIPS~ How to Be More Vulnerable Be More Open

Want to learn to be strong and more vulnerable, to love yourself more AND build meaningful connections with other people?

Contact me for a complimentary Confidence Coaching session! 😀