I just returned from a week in a tropical paradise, contorting my body into various poses at the guidance of a yoga teacher. What does a yoga vacation have to do with business or communication, you ask? Well, during the course of the week I was reminded of the importance of vulnerability in building relationships and leadership presence.
Our teacher, Monica Bright, was helping 17 women in need of a break to “relax and rejuvenate”, as was the name of our Mexican retreat. Several of the participants on this retreat were new to yoga or had never practiced with this instructor. She had the challenging task of establishing trust in a very short period of time. We would have just seven days together and were immediately spending three hours a day being led in our yoga practice by a … stranger.
Yet by the end of the week, Monica had created such a rapport that those new acquaintances (myself included) were dedicated followers and wishing they could attend her regular classes — in Chicago, just an hour and a half flight from Toronto for yoga. How did she do it? By opening up, sharing herself and being vulnerable.
She regularly shared examples of her struggles and how she was continually growing from her experiences. She recognized the value she saw in learning from all of us, her students. She opened up and was courageous in sharing her emotions. In return, we all felt safe to ask questions, seek guidance from her, and be ourselves. We trusted Monica’s leadership.
The ability to gain trust is so important for new leaders in business and those leading through times of change or uncertainty. Everyone expects you to be knowledgeable. Competence is decided by a board of directors or a hiring manager. Trust is more tricky.
You need to establish trust on an individual level. The best way to do that is to allow yourself to be vulnerable. Yes, it’s important to celebrate successes, but acknowledge your mistakes and what you learned from them. When problem-solving with your team, it’s OK to say, “I don’t know, let’s figure this out together.” Own up when someone else is better suited to managing a specific customer, and ask to learn from them. Seek external guidance when your gut is telling you something doesn’t add up.
In a world that’s currently consumed with the false idea of perfection, it’s the warts that make us authentic, approachable, and trustworthy. Be vulnerable and you may find yourself greeted with this: “Namaste.”
Lisa Rostoks 