In recent years, I've struggled with deciding which relationships are truly worth investing in, largely due to a deep-rooted fear of disappointment. Despite this challenge, I've come to believe that vulnerability is not just the best approach but the only meaningful one. It's very difficult, but I have faith that as I grow in embracing vulnerability, the grip of fear on my life will gradually loosen.
Many experiences and mostly good ones. The upside of such sharing is that the receiver feels invited to likewise open up. The downside is that this "reciprocation" can be misused or manipulated (the sharer is only being vulnerable in order to get the other person to open up.) As a leader, I once shared that I had no passion, nor vision for ministry and was simply going through the motions... and at a time when I could have been the most effective in leadership. The listener responded with encouraging words that are my desk in full sight to this day (25 years later!!)
Great Post!! May I offer a possible illustrative analogy.... and a thought? Analogy- "It's not the mountains we climb, but the small rocks in our shoes that wear us down.... and sometimes the climb is so tiring we cannot bend down to even take off the shoes and empty out the small rocks... we need a friend to take off the shoes, and take out the small rocks for us." Thought- you wrote "In many cultures, vulnerability in leadership is often seen as a weakness. However, it is a profound strength that can inspire and encourage others, empowering them to face their own challenges." Is all vulnerability in leadership "a profound strength" or maybe a measured vulnerability is such a strength? If the latter, it seems the leader who is being vulnerable will need to discern the cultural perspectives and the audience receiving such sharing and measure the level of vulnerability. What do you think?
In recent years, I've struggled with deciding which relationships are truly worth investing in, largely due to a deep-rooted fear of disappointment. Despite this challenge, I've come to believe that vulnerability is not just the best approach but the only meaningful one. It's very difficult, but I have faith that as I grow in embracing vulnerability, the grip of fear on my life will gradually loosen.
Disappointment is a true reality. But as I said is too much at stake if we don’t reach out. Thanks for your comment and vulnerability Xhulio.
Great illustration David. Vulnerability as any other interaction needs to be appropriated to the context. Thanks for bringing perspective on that.
How have you experience the benefit of being vulnerable and do you have cases when that was misunderstood?
Many experiences and mostly good ones. The upside of such sharing is that the receiver feels invited to likewise open up. The downside is that this "reciprocation" can be misused or manipulated (the sharer is only being vulnerable in order to get the other person to open up.) As a leader, I once shared that I had no passion, nor vision for ministry and was simply going through the motions... and at a time when I could have been the most effective in leadership. The listener responded with encouraging words that are my desk in full sight to this day (25 years later!!)
Hahhahah wanted to correct you
Great Post!! May I offer a possible illustrative analogy.... and a thought? Analogy- "It's not the mountains we climb, but the small rocks in our shoes that wear us down.... and sometimes the climb is so tiring we cannot bend down to even take off the shoes and empty out the small rocks... we need a friend to take off the shoes, and take out the small rocks for us." Thought- you wrote "In many cultures, vulnerability in leadership is often seen as a weakness. However, it is a profound strength that can inspire and encourage others, empowering them to face their own challenges." Is all vulnerability in leadership "a profound strength" or maybe a measured vulnerability is such a strength? If the latter, it seems the leader who is being vulnerable will need to discern the cultural perspectives and the audience receiving such sharing and measure the level of vulnerability. What do you think?