It’s okay to show your vulnerability. It’s a powerful uniting force.

A few years ago I gathered with my colleagues for a professional development day. There were about 80 of us seated at round tables in a large banquet room, all facing the direction of the speaker – stage front. The day was filled with learning and sharing, as we cycled through numerous topics, some of which were led by a selection of our colleagues.

A colleague took the stage. It was her time slot on the agenda. Her nervousness was palpable. She filled her lungs with an extra-long inhale – followed seconds later by a more obvious and extended exhale. As her breath left her lungs she started her presentation. She looked down at her notes, looked up at us, and back down at her notes. She said a few words and stopped. She looked up, and then said something that will stay with me forever.

“I’m so nervous. I put on double deodorant today.”

And right then, at that moment, I watched an audience of her peers unite. We all smiled, giggled and laughed out loud, and then – as if tethered together in unison – we all leaned in. Towards her. United.

She let us in, and we had her back. She was safe in her vulnerability.

In that moment, I honestly believe every one of us in that room, related to her in a more honest and human way.

She looked up, saw – and I believe, felt – the reaction from her peers. She smiled and carried on with her presentation.

Everyone in that room could relate to her. We understood. We’ve all been there.

Even the most polished speaker, can relate and empathize.

We witnessed a moment of raw vulnerability. Our colleague let down her defences and invited us in. And in doing so, we united in our support. For her. With her. We were now her allies.

I know she felt some of that visceral fear and heavy burden lift from her shoulders. That moment – although short in time – was significant in meaning. In that moment of raw honesty and unfiltered humility, she was vulnerable. She released that burden outward and its energy was compressed into something lighter. The burden was dispersed and every one of us in that room claimed a piece of her fear, relieving her of that sole burden.

When she completed her presentation, she was rewarded with an eruption of cheers and woot-woot’s. With each expanding decibel of applause, her smile grew bigger. And she floated back to her seat as if buoyed by her peers. Allies now.

That’s the uniting force of vulnerability.

Each of us has our own fears and doubts. Often disguised as that little voice that holds us back from speaking up. It’s the invisible grip that stops us from diving in, jumping off, standing up, and moving forward.

We are all afraid.

Afraid of not living up to expectations. Of looking weak. Of failing.

We are all afraid. Of something.

In my experience, whenever I have shown some vulnerability, I am lifted by others. Someone always comes forward. Leans in. Extends a hand. A smile. A nod. A gesture of support.

Always. Without fail.

After I move through my moment of vulnerability, I feel lighter. The heaviness that pushes me down and makes me feel smaller, weaker than I am, slowly dissipates. As if clearing the space around me, there is more room to move. To stretch. To just be.

On the other side of those raw vulnerable moments is growth. More clarity. A stretch that moves you closer toward authenticity. More relatable. More real.

Whenever I feel the weight of fear holding me back, pushing me down, I lean into vulnerability. There has always been (and I believe there always will be) someone on the other side willing me forward.

Vulnerability. It’s a powerful uniting force.

Be vulnerable, my friends.

Be vulnerable.

With gratitude, always

Nicole Osmond

Customer Success Coach

As a Customer Success Coach and 3 X business owner, I am living my passion and helping companies succeed by cultivating a customer committed mindset.

A Writer with Heart – I weave words together to stimulate, elevate, and motivate. My blog is my canvas to share my ‘experience nuggets’ with you! Thanks for stopping by! With gratitude, always – Nicole