Vulnerability is your greatest leadership superpower

You’re standing backstage, palms sweating, as you prepare to speak on a big stage. You remember that knot in your stomach—your oldest companion. But today you catch it for what it is: a signal of connection. You breathe and whisper, “I’m really nervous.” You feel ridiculous, but when your voice echoes back at you, something shifts. The knot loosens slightly, and you decide to share a quick story about the first time you bombed at public speaking. The stage lights click on and suddenly you’re not alone in your mind, you’re part of something bigger.

As you step onstage, you spot a few faces nodding along—people you’ve never met, yet they recognize your truth. You flow through your presentation, and by the end, the nods have turned into applause. Those moments don’t erase your nerves, but they show you that vulnerability connects you to others more deeply than perfection ever could.

Backstage after the talk, you feel a strange sort of pride—that you risked looking silly and instead built a bridge. Neuroscience tells us that honest expression of emotion triggers oxytocin, the bonding chemical that strengthens trust. By owning your nerves and stepping into them, you didn’t weaken; you rewired your brain for connection.

You’ve mapped out your day: meetings, reports, deadlines—and somewhere, that one low-risk moment you choose to be vulnerable. You tell your peer, “Can I get your take on this draft?” You own the kink in your stomach, saying, “I’m nervous about feedback.” You share a quick story of a recent goof-up and your key lesson. That’s it. You may still feel butterflies, but they’re no longer a source of shame. You’ve sparked a chain reaction—others lean in, share, and real trust starts to form. Give it a try today.