Why I Bring Vulnerability to Work

There is strength in vulnerability.

There is power in vulnerability.

But there is also fear. Fear that if we are vulnerable, we will appear weak. Fear that if we open up to people, we will be disappointed or let down. Or fear that we will be the ones disappointing someone or letting them down.

We are conditioned to believe that strength means sucking it up, holding our tongue, biting the bullet, and just carrying through our work days as if we don’t have a life outside the office. This is something that took me a very long time to learn and understand. And it’s just not true.

The truth is - we do have a life outside the office. And while I believe it’s important to maintain a certain level of resilience (we can’t let our moods and problems derail us completely from achieving our goals – in life and at work) – I have also begun to recognize how liberating it is to be open and vulnerable with my clients.

As a creative entrepreneur, my mood and energy levels greatly impact my work. When I’m lacking creative energy, I can’t do my job. I do my best to show up and practice creativity every day, so that I can deliver to my clients. However, some days it’s just hard.

It’s not just creatives though. You can experience this impact no matter what industry you work in. I’m sure you’ve all hit a rough patch or had a bad day at work, and people around the office take notice. So why hide it?

Here’s the thing. Yes, there are hard deadlines, particularly in a corporate world. If an article doesn’t make it out in time, it doesn’t get published. If a design doesn’t get done in time, it can affect your production. But, guess what. Shit happens.

We lose loved ones, go through breakups, get in car accidents, get sick…and yet we’re still expected to brush it off and go to work? We’re still expected to give 100%? Sorry, but no. In reality, we can’t. These types of life experiences require a great deal of time and healing. And while everyone heals differently (and yes there is still always work to be done) I think it’s important to acknowledge that allowing yourself to be open and vulnerable at work during these times can make all the difference.

The past couple of years have been tough for me. Hell, they’ve been tough for everyone. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from bringing my vulnerability to work, it’s that people can actually be quite receptive and empathetic. While I don’t fully dish out my personal business to my clients, I do let them know when something is going on.

I tell my clients, because as a creative entrepreneur, they understand I cannot create my best work when I am in survival mode. By letting them know what I’m going through, it immediately takes the pressure off and dampens my anxiety. Sometimes, just by simply asking them if I can extend a deadline an extra day, or offering them a full disclosure when I hand in the work, gives me the space I need to feel comfortable with how I’m showing up.

Often times, when we open ourselves up to others, what happens is really quite incredible. By asking for a deadline extension, I wind up not even needing it. By letting them in to what’s going on in my life, I’m creating an emotional connection with my clients that improves our working relationship. By verbalizing I need some time and space to heal, I’m setting boundaries. I wind up being more productive and more creative in the long run because I’m not running myself ragged and ultimately leaving myself susceptible to burnout.

There are plenty of industries out there that are operating on outdated ideologies of what professionalism looks like. But I do believe things are changing. And it’s up to us to help guide those changes, one vulnerable moment at a time.