“You can’t get to courage without rumbling with vulnerability. Embrace the suck!” — Brené Brown
In a high-stakes meeting, Jordan, a seasoned team leader, found himself at a crossroads. His project had hit major roadblocks, and the team was looking to him for direction. Every instinct told him to maintain a confident front, to reassure his team that everything was under control. But deep down, he knew the truth – he didn’t have all the answers. Instead of covering up the challenges, Jordan decided to take a risk. He admitted to his team that he didn’t have it all figured out, but together, they could brainstorm solutions. The room fell silent for a moment, then, one by one, team members began contributing ideas. What started as an uncomfortable moment of vulnerability led to a breakthrough. His openness had unlocked a flood of creativity from the team, and they found a path forward together.
Courage Comes from Vulnerability
At Lead Vantage, we coach leaders to understand that true courage comes not from perfection, but from vulnerability. When leaders embrace discomfort and show up authentically, they inspire trust and innovation, setting the stage for fearless conversations and stronger teams.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness – it’s a necessary emotion in times of crisis, stress, and uncertainty. It’s what allows leaders to connect on a human level, foster trust, and navigate challenges with honesty. If we, as leaders, want our teams to be open, real, and forthright, we must be willing to go first. Human-to-human interactions thrive when leaders show up authentically, acknowledging challenges rather than masking them.
Brené Brown famously said, “You can’t get to courage without rumbling with vulnerability. Embrace the suck!” In other words, the path to leadership growth requires embracing discomfort. It means admitting when you don’t have all the answers, owning mistakes, and showing your team that it’s okay to be real. When leaders model this, they create a culture where people feel psychologically safe to take risks, voice ideas, and grow together.
Coaching Questions to Ask Yourself About Vulnerability:
- How comfortable are you with showing vulnerability in your leadership role?
- In what areas of your leadership do you find yourself putting on armour (perfectionism, avoidance, etc.)?
- How might embracing discomfort and vulnerability benefit your team’s culture?
- When was the last time you had an open, vulnerable conversation with your team? What was the outcome?
- How do you encourage your team members to share openly without fear of judgment?
- What would happen if you allowed yourself to be more transparent with your team about challenges or failures?
- How do you react when you feel vulnerable in a leadership situation? Can you reframe that reaction?
- What risks are you currently avoiding that could lead to greater growth for you and your team?
- How do you balance vulnerability with maintaining authority as a leader?
- What does “embracing the suck” mean in your leadership context, and how can you model this mindset?
When leaders choose vulnerability, they don’t just build stronger teams – they create a culture of trust, resilience, and innovation that drives lasting success.

info@leadvantage.ca
Courage and vulnerability go hand in hand, especially when it comes to leadership. There’s a lot at stake when high-performing employees are promoted to leadership roles – they become the ones responsible for shaping and sustaining your company’s culture. However, far too often, new leaders are thrown into these roles with the expectation that they’ll simply “learn on the job.” This reactive approach has led us to a workplace climate where burnout, mental health struggles, increased wage demands, and terms like “quiet quitting” and the “Great Resignation” have become commonplace.
That’s where Lead Vantage steps in. Our customized training and coaching programs are designed to equip emerging leaders with the skills they need to thrive, not just survive, in their new roles. From mastering communication and conflict resolution to building resilient teams and honing emotional intelligence, we ensure your leaders are ready to face the challenges ahead.
With Lead Vantage’s support, your leaders can fully embrace the courage it takes to rumble with vulnerability, unlocking their potential to foster a high-performing, engaged, and thriving organization.
Learn more about us here: https://leadvantage.ca/about-lead-vantage-lead-with-purpose/