Nobody Believes You: The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership S5 EP9

S5EP9 WEBSITE THUMBNAIL

In the penultimate episode of Season 5, Jenni talks all about the role of vulnerability in credible leadership. She discusses its significance during the pandemic, defines what it means to be vulnerable for leaders, and highlights the potential disconnect and chaos when leaders fail to show vulnerability. 

Jenni shares personal stories and outlines three practical steps to build vulnerability: asking for help, being honest, and leveraging all aspects of communication. The episode emphasises the need for leaders to demonstrate personal, yet professional aspects of themselves to strengthen connections with their teams.


Episode Timestamps:

  • 00:41 – Defining Vulnerability
  • 02:03 – The Chaos of Lacking Vulnerability
  • 02:28 – Balancing Vulnerability and Connection
  • 04:37 – Building Vulnerability: Practical Steps

There is a balance to vulnerability. And for some leaders, it can feel like you’re having to expose too much. But, what we can think about and what I often talk about with leaders, is that to create connection, you need to be personal, but not intimate. That is the distinction to make. – Jenni Field


Key Takeaways From This Episode:

  • True vulnerability requires strength and assuredness
  • The challenge with defining vulnerability is that it has different meanings for different people
  • Leaders should have a balance in vulnerability, be personal but not intimate
  • 3 practical steps for building vulnerability

Thanks for listening!

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About the author:
Jenni Field

Jenni Field is an expert in leadership credibility and internal communication.

Host of the popular Redefining Communications with Jenni Field podcast and author of Influential Internal Communication, and Nobody Believes You, her work as an international speaker and coach, helps leaders and their organisations become more efficient and more engaging.

After spending 13 years working inside organisations as Head of Internal Communications and Communications Director, Jenni set up the consultancy Redefining Communications to help organisations and teams use communication to go from chaos to calm.

Since 2017 Jenni has published two books, hosted two popular podcasts that discuss leadership, communication and wellbeing and conducted research into communication with deskless workers, the role of line managers and why we follow some leaders and not others.

In 2020 she was the President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, and she holds qualifications and accreditations in internal communication, company directorship and facilitation.

She is an impressive speaker, inspiring leader and is globally recognised in the communication industry as a force for change in the way leaders and organisations as a whole communicate with their teams.

You can find her on LinkedIn and Instagram

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