I too agree that leaders should embrace vulnerability. I see it as the best way to learn and grow as a leader. The method of learning known as ‘trial by fire’ is, in my mind, the most effective way to learn something. We can go on and on in the classroom about leadership and what makes a good leader versus a bad leader, but the only way we are going to actually develop into strong leaders is by going out and trying it.

Just like any new skill, we are likely going to mess up and make mistakes when starting off as a leader. These mistakes are the most important part of the trial by fire method of learning. When we make a mistake, it is imperative that we analyze it, figure out what went wrong, and then find out what steps need to be taken to help to avoid this particular mistake in the future. By embracing vulnerability, leaders are able to make mistakes and recognize that they made one. It might be embarrassing in the moment, but you can bet that they will remember that mistake and will do everything in their power to avoid that mistake in the future.

However, I do agree with the post by adborce stating that it is important to not be too vulnerable as a leader so that people do not take advantage of you. To respond to this and apply it to my trial by fire theory, I would say that it is important to be vulnerable with one’s self. If we recognize that we made a mistake, we can look at it on our own and do the same analysis and learn form it.

In the end, making mistakes are very important to development of any skill. People who go out and are naturally good at something are one thing, but the person who struggles with a skill and messes up a few times on the path to being proficient at that skill are the ones who truly understand that skill.