Leading with vulnerability
I’ve been thinking a lot about vulnerability lately, especially after learning from an amazing mentor who’s shown me just how powerful it can be. Vulnerability is often seen as a weakness, but in reality, it’s a superpower that not everyone in the corporate world has discovered. To me, it’s about being open, authentic, and humble—not just in life but also at work. It’s about being transparent with your team about the challenges you're facing, acknowledging that there are things you don’t know, and showing that, just like them, you’re human. This kind of leadership creates a culture where trust, creativity, and collaboration can really take off.
I’ve seen this in action with my mentor. There have been times when he’s told the team, "We’re in uncharted territory, and I don’t have all the answers or a model to follow." He’s open about learning as he goes and trusts the team to figure things out together. That honesty, especially when leading innovation, is incredibly powerful. Innovation is risky—it’s about creating something new, and that’s often scary. But when you lead with vulnerability, you create a space where trying, failing, and learning are all part of the process. It’s this kind of openness that gives everyone the freedom to experiment and ultimately push boundaries in ways that wouldn't be possible in a more rigid, fear-driven environment.
I recently had the chance to join some incredible design leaders from across the industry for a truly unique conversation hosted by the Design Executive Council (DXC). Unlike the usual business-driven discussions we typically have, this gathering took a step back to focus on something much more personal: our human side. We shared our personal reflections on the challenges and rewards of leadership, opening up about the toll it can take and the importance of making intentional, thoughtful choices. It was a reminder that vulnerability can have a profound impact, not just on the results we achieve but on how we show up as leaders and humans.
Gordon Ching, Founder & CEO at DXC wrote a beautiful summary of our conversation that he describes as “gentleness”.
“As executives, we’re taught to value decisiveness and drive. Yet, gentleness is essential to sustaining ourselves and others over the long term. It’s not about weakness; it’s about balance—an inner confidence that lets us connect deeply and lead effectively. Here are the reflections I took away from that evening and practices that leaders can consider adopting to bring gentleness into their own lives.”