As we are not perfect, people in the workplace make mistakes, especially in stressful situations (and even more so now with this Pandemic, juggling personal and work tasks from home). If you are in a position of command and leadership, I recommend you reflect on the following and be honest with yourself: are you able to forgive and show your vulnerability to others?
Forgiveness is an act that comes from a position of strength, strength and self-assurance that many people do not possess. It requires courage, resilience, faith, empathy, humility, vulnerability, and yes, love. Renowned TED speaker, Brené Brown Ph.D., a writer, teacher, and researcher (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenebrown/), talks about these qualities that belong to sincere people. Many people are emotionally underdeveloped, weakened by their wounds or pride to forgive. However, taking steps towards forgiveness begins a process of living life from a position of strength rather than weakness, both professionally and personally.
Watch this video if you think your leadership skills and life management could improve and you care about the people you work/live with The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown.
Guilt is described in her research as a way to alleviate pain and discomfort.
Brené Brown says she would tell companies: “This is not our first rodeo, folks,” we just need you to be authentic and real and say: “sorry, we’ll fix it.”
After several years of research interviewing thousands of people, and going through this process herself, believing she was perfect and almost always right, she is now in a position to tell us about personal growth, satisfaction, and joy. I am fascinated by how she ends her talk by telling us that there is another way of doing things and responding: to let ourselves be seen, deeply, and vulnerably. To love with all our heart, even though there are no guarantees; yes, that is very difficult and I tell you it is terribly difficult, but it is worth it. Practicing gratitude and joy in those moments of almost terror, when we ask ourselves: can I believe in this project so passionately? Can I be so brave? Can I love you so much? Just to be able to stop and instead of “catastrophizing” what might happen, to say: I am so grateful because feeling vulnerable means I am alive.
Let’s stop pretending we don’t impact people.
