Vulnerability Makes a Leader Strong, Not Weak Let's dispel the myth of the all-knowing leader. The best leaders aren't the ones who pretend to know everything.

Brené Brown's TED Talk on vulnerability became one of the most-watched presentations the organization has ever produced. While Brown's straightforward manner and sharp wit has helped her attract a fan base, it's her core message that has clearly resonated with a worldwide audience. As she summed up in her 2019 Netflix special, Call to Courage:

"No vulnerability, no creativity. No tolerance for failure, no innovation. It is that simple. If you're not willing to fail, you can't innovate. If you're not willing to build a vulnerable culture, you can't create."

The image of an all-knowing, unwavering leader has been a difficult one to shake from the public consciousness. At the same time, we all know someone who tries too hard to project a particular image, and it's usually not hard to see straight through the pretense.