Real, not raw: the art of leading with vulnerability

"Leading in these times isn't easy. You're expected to be relatable yet reliable, compassionate yet competent, and authentic yet professional. You have to do all of this in an environment where global upheaval, economic uncertainty, and technological changes are creating widespread anxiety. And perhaps you, on occasion, have some stressors in your own work and personal life to navigate? Masking emotions at work is both exhausting and counterproductive."

"Acting as though everything is fine when it's clearly not creates an environment of toxic positivity, erodes trust, and makes it harder for others to be honest. It's also not healthy. As noted in Psychology Today, suppressing our emotions puts us at higher risk of heart disease and hypertension, and causes us to "feel less socially connected and satisfied with [our] friends [and] more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.""

"One leader found herself facing an all-staff call with thousands of employees the day after their city faced a mass violence event. At first, she tried to grit through it, sticking to her agenda and talking points. Eventually, though, she realized how inauthentic it felt not to acknowledge the horrors they had all witnessed. She paused, took a breath, and allowed a few tears."

Leaders must balance authenticity and professionalism by expressing genuine emotion without oversharing. Masking emotions at work exhausts people, creates toxic positivity, erodes trust, and harms physical and mental health, increasing risk of heart disease, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. Oversharing can also unsettle colleagues and place emotional burdens on teams. Practical approaches include modeling calm vulnerability rather than venting, acknowledging difficult events with measured honesty, and showing gratitude. Brief displays of emotion can humanize leaders and foster connection without compromising competence. Sustainable emotional leadership maintains trust, supports team wellbeing, and models healthy expression.

Read at Fast Company