How to be vulnerable with your team without oversharing

Ever wonder how some managers seem to effortlessly inspire commitment and high performance from their teams? The secret might be vulnerability.

Research shows that our brains respond positively to people when we feel a personal connection with them. Such connections can start when leaders show a more personal side to themselves, and when employees can sense that it is authentic. This helps to foster psychological safety in the workplace, leading to higher levels of team performance.

If you’re a leader wanting to be more vulnerable with your team, here are some ways to get started:

🗣️ Share relevant personal experiences: Talk about challenges you've faced, lessons you've learned, or times you've asked for help.

🙋 Admit mistakes: Own up to your errors and demonstrate a willingness to learn from them.

💬 Ask for help and feedback: Show your team that you value their opinions and are open to suggestions for improvement.

However, there is a fine line between vulnerability and oversharing. Oversharing can erode your authority and make your team uncomfortable.

Keep in mind the following when choosing to share with your team: 

⭕️ Determine where you draw the line: Avoid divulging personal details that are inappropriate or irrelevant to the workplace (e.g. sensitive information about your health, finances, or relationships).

😌 Regulate your emotions: Control your words and body language during tense situations to reduce unnecessary stress for your team.

🧠 Address your feelings: Leaders have bad days too and there’s no need to hide it. Acknowledge your feelings to reduce unnecessary anxiety for your team.

The key to finding a balance between vulnerability and oversharing is to be selectively vulnerable: open up to your team while still prioritising their boundaries, as well as your own.

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