I believe my vulnerability and self-awareness has increased over the course of my leadership journey. I truly feel more self-aware and vulnerable since being introduced to True North Fieldbook (2023) and Dare to Lead (2018). Developing my self-awareness through assessing my emotional intelligence and gathering authentic feedback from others allowed me to recognize my areas of improvement and growth. I was also able to identify my blind spots and how others experience me. Craig et al. (2022), share “few of us have the courage to surround ourselves with people who are willing to call us out when we are slipping; even fewer of us have the courage to live our lives as disciplined feedback seekers” (Craig et al., 2022, p. 77). By having awareness of my blind spots, I can turn around and practice vulnerability and reflect on why and how they became blind spots, and how to bring them to the light.
Through my learning in Dare to Lead (2018) I grew my knowledge on how to be vulnerable with others through rumble starters, specifically “tell me why this doesn’t work for you” and “help me understand” (Brown, 2018, p. 172-173). By adding rumble starters to conversations, I am facilitating one on one or in group settings, I can open a safe space for myself and others to be vulnerable. I have also incorporated “what does support look like from me” (Brown, 2018, p. 35) when I am processing through someone else’s needs. In service of vulnerability and my self-awareness, I am also informing my board president what support from her looks like to me. This has allowed us to have a more organic professional relationship and process through my needs to stay on target.
Group work is the main factor that has played the biggest role in my vulnerability and self-awareness growth. Developing relationships with a group of individuals and building trust allows for more organic growth and vulnerability. I stated early on in this program that vulnerability comes hard for me, yet I continue to find opportunities and support to open up more and more with this cohort with each new course. We are all tied to a similar mission to better ourselves as leaders and being able to show our vulnerability only helps me get closer to that mission.
References:
Brown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: Brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. Random House.
Craig, N., George, B., & Snook, S. (2023). True North fieldbook: Emerging leader edition. Wiley.