We are under pressure to excel, perform, and manage too many responsibilities. Vulnerability seems counterintuitive, an attribute associated with weakness rather than strength. Leaning into vulnerability in the workplace, however, enhances well-being while setting good examples for students. It allows for authentic communication, fosters trust, builds relationships, and promotes resilience, which are essential for feeling good at work!
What is Vulnerability?
Vulnerability, as popularized by Brené Brown, refers to the bravery to show up as your authentic self, acknowledge your uncertainties, and take risks even when outcomes are uncertain. As Brené Brown states: “You cannot be brave without vulnerability.” Vulnerability is related to emotional intelligence and connecting with others on meaningful levels. Vulnerability means:
Admitting to challenges
Asking for help
Sharing personal struggles
Being open about not always knowing what to do
What Vulnerability Is Not
Vulnerability is not about oversharing information, sharing yourself with everyone, or even deciding to show up at work without wearing any pants. 😊 Rather, it involves embracing openness, honesty, and the possibility of being imperfect with those you trust.
The Importance of Vulnerability for Faculty and Staff Well-Being
1. Reducing Stuff that Stresses Us Out. The pressures of campus work and life can lead us to feel over tapped. We feel expected to appear competent and in control, which prevents us from seeking support when most needed. Vulnerability creates space where we can acknowledge when we are overwhelmed, stressed, or simply feeling like “I am being asked to do things I do not feel competent to do!” Admitting we’re struggling can open doors to resources and supports that reduce stress and prevent burnout.
- EXAMPLE: Staff who feel empowered to voice concerns about workloads or personal well-being more often gain access to flexible working arrangements, support, or adjusted expectations—which improves job satisfaction.
2. United We Stand. Fostering vulnerability enables us to form deeper connections with each other. When we are willing to be open and authentic about our struggles and uncertainties, we signal to others they can do the same. Trust leads to trust which leads to trust which leads to trust. . .and well, you get it. Work-life integration is a shift toward flexibility, adaptability, and interconnectedness. It’s not about giving equal time to work and personal life, but about recognizing that, at different moments, one will demand more of our attention than the other. Over time, the goal is to include work in a way that doesn't overpower personal well-being but complements it.
- EXAMPLE: When a department director admits she is facing challenges, it inspires us to share the same, contributing to mutual support. We feel more connected and valued, which strengthens us to face daily challenges.
3. Dang! We Are Creative! Vulnerability drives creativity and innovation. When we feel safe to risk, experiment, and explore new ideas without fear of judgment, we lean into creative solutions.
- EXAMPLE: An office culture where we feel comfortable brainstorming incomplete ideas or projects in development leads to more dynamic and innovative outcomes. Vulnerability promotes curiosity and growth, helping us learn from our mistakes and develop cooler, new stuff.
Positive Impact on Students: Modeling All of This
1. Normalizing Mistakes & Growth. In our work worlds that emphasize performance and delivery, being vulnerable helps students see that mistakes mean learning.
EXAMPLE: When we share about a returned article where the editors hated it, or an event we planned that went off with many hitches, we inspire students to persist through their own challenges. Seeing us embrace vulnerability teaches students it’s okay to seek help, make mistakes, and embrace all the goodness that is less than perfection. P.S. Perfection sucks!
2. Promoting Mental Health Awareness. We can also share vulnerability about our own mental health management to reduce stigma. By being open about our own struggles, whether through conversation or formal discussions, we show students that mental health is a priority and seeking help is strength.
EXAMPLE: A faculty member sharing how they manage stress through mindfulness or counseling encourages students to do the same.
Fostering Authentic Relationships
Vulnerability enables us to build authentic relationships with students. When we admit we do not have all the answers, we encourage students to approach learning as a collaborative process rather than the idea that we have to be experts about all things, at all times, for all people.
EXAMPLE: A professor who shares their own learning process, whether in research, teaching, or life—creates a space where students feel empowered to ask questions, share uncertainties, and engage in dialogue without fear of judgment.
Conclusion
Leaning into vulnerability in the campus workplace is a big ‘ole scoop of awesome sauce! It benefits us and our students. It builds a culture of trust, reduces stress and burnout, fosters innovation, and models resilience and authenticity. Ultimately, vulnerability is a strength to be cultivated!