Leadership Paradox #5: Strength vs. Vulnerability
- Ralph Cochrane

- Aug 19
- 1 min read

Owning your flaws builds more trust than hiding them. Real strength shows up when you’re real.
Many leaders worry that vulnerability will undermine their authority. They think, “If I admit I don’t have the answer, I’ll lose credibility.”
But the opposite is often true.
When you’re open about what you don’t know, when you acknowledge a mistake, or when you ask for help—you signal self-awareness, humility, and confidence. You create space for others to do the same.
No one trusts perfection. They trust people who are honest, transparent, and human.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s a leadership superpower.
The paradox? By showing up as you are—messy moments and all—you build stronger teams, deeper loyalty, and a more resilient culture.
Where have you seen vulnerability create unexpected strength in your work?




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