16 Perceived ‘Vulnerabilities’ That Can Be Reframed As Strengths

Absent are the days when someone who dominated with an iron fist was known as a solid chief. Today’s greatest leaders are relatable, get to know their individuals and display their vulnerabilities, therefore turning their perceived “weaknesses” into real strengths.

Coaches frequently enjoy an essential purpose in encouraging shoppers understand how impressive it can be to open up up about their vulnerabilities at work and in lifetime in common. Right here, 16 customers of Forbes Coaches Council investigate some attributes that are typically thought of as vulnerabilities why they ought to be reframed as the strengths they basically are.

1. Being An Introvert

There are so several misconceptions about being an introvert. I generally listen to that introverts can not do gross sales. This is not accurate. In gross sales, you have to be a great listener, kind, individual, empathetic and comprehension. And there are customers who simply don’t like the usual “overachiever” or “pushy” salesperson. Also, on gross sales teams, diversity is a must. – Melissa Leich, Growfused

2. Being Neurotic

Neuroticism is usually perceived as a vulnerability, but it is truly a major strength when it arrives to starting up and scaling a company. I show these clientele the upside, which is larger self-consciousness, travel and resolve. Currently being neurotic is beneficial—you are relentless and ready for any difficulties simply because you’ve anticipated probable results. There is no halting until you get! – Jacquelyn Van Tuyl, Jacquelyn Van Tuyl International

3. Getting Self-Doubt

To doubt is human, and when embraced productively, question is a wonderful toughness. Bad points can transpire when a chief stops questioning by themselves, stops understanding and gets overconfident. Any trait that is overutilized or underutilized can grow to be a weak spot. If you are willing to check out them, vulnerable feelings are great knowledge factors you can use for the greater great and expansion. – Jodie Charlop, Exceleration Companions

4. Being Empathetic

Empathy, which is unfortunately usually conflated with weakness, tops the checklist. Possessing the skill to hook up and share from the coronary heart and not just the head will allow one particular to create a further relationship with yet another particular person or social gathering. Link makes option and is the genesis of risk. This can only be founded as a result of an comprehending of a different person’s vision or beliefs. – Joshua Miller, Joshua Miller

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only local community for major company and career coaches. Do I qualify?

5. Inquiring For Help

Typically, asking for help was an act of vulnerability, nonetheless it was perceived as not figuring out anything. The reality is, inquiring for help instead of pretending to know all the answers is an superb trait, specifically for leaders in these existing periods. Ultimately, it is a toughness that highly emotionally and socially clever leaders exercising as frequently as essential. Activity on, champions! – Izabela Lundberg, Legacy Leaders Institute

6. Contemplating Deeply

Imagining deeply in a meeting is often perceived as introversion or indecisiveness. Framing the function of the conference chair, who listens, learns, displays and then delivers a concise and unifying summary that attracts on all the enter around the table, reminds the shopper that the most effective particular person in the place is not often the a single with the quickest remedy or the loudest voice. – Gary Crotaz, Gary Crotaz Ltd.

7. Getting ‘Pessimistic’

One shopper was perceived as getting overly pessimistic and adverse by colleagues. As we mentioned it, it became crystal clear that this was because of to a strength—his ability to rapidly recognize doable challenges. Our strengths are also our limits when utilised in excess. By disclosing his intentions and altering how he explained them, the workforce at some point saw his contributions as collaborative. – Robin Elledge, Janus Coaching + Consulting

8. Currently being A Subject Issue Skilled

Currently being a topic make a difference pro can derail you when you consider on other business spots if you are not watchful. The company’s CEO is hardly ever the subject matter qualified in each and every spot of the company, but they are good at primary a staff of matter make any difference specialists. Keep in mind this if you want to expand in your occupation. Concentrate on developing your leadership. – April Sabral, April Sabral Leadership

9. Becoming Open up And Genuine

One particular trait that is frequently perceived as a vulnerability is the capacity to be open and sincere. This vulnerability can typically be seen as a energy, as it enables for increased connection and intimacy with others. Honesty is a trait that can assist construct belief and develop deeper associations, which eventually positively has an effect on a company’s efficiency. – Peter Boolkah, The Transition Male

10. Obtaining An Accent

Having an accent can make us truly feel susceptible, primarily if we are not pretty as fluent in our 2nd (or 3rd, or what ever selection) language as our first—but if you can not (or do not want to) get rid of it, embrace it. It may well occur with a few of positive biases you can use to your gain, and you may perhaps automatically have a broader perspective and more diverse, global viewpoints. – Micha Goebig, Go Significant Coaching & Communications, LLC

11. Lacking Tactfulness

I labored with a person who was incredibly blunt, and this sometimes hindered them when offering suggestions. Even so, this can truly be observed as a energy, as it demonstrates genuine honesty, which can be extremely important. The philosophy of radical candor highlights that there is terrific electric power in always telling the reality, as long as it is finished with excellent intentions. – Josephine Kant, Google for Startups

12. Laughing At Everything

I experienced a customer who laughed when she was satisfied, angry, unhappy and anxious. She experimented with for decades to split the habit of laughing very first. I aided her to see it as a strength. It gave her the place she needed initially to course of action her emotions so that she could later place forward a response that much more authentically represented what she felt. – Randy Shattuck, The Shattuck Team

13. Being Capable To Explore Failures

Staying in a position to discuss about our very own failures is critical to how we relate to some others. Though quite a few leaders are taught to only celebrate successes, demonstrating our capacity to remodel and find out from setbacks is how we can be memorable. In telling our tales of failure, the viewers not only has a likelihood to master from us, but they can also truly feel linked to us via legitimate emotions in our tale arcs. – Kelly Huang, Mentor Kelly Huang

14. Getting ‘Too’ Type

I have read men and women say they “are just also nice” and “let people get advantage” of them, which I typically perceived as a weak point. But, most of the time, the people who were perceived as variety and pleasant ended up just there for others and lent an ear or a assisting hand when others had been much too busy or annoyed. If you do not allow also lots of boundaries to be crossed, kindness can be a peaceful, strong pressure. – John M. O’Connor, Job Pro Inc.

15. Getting Expressive And Emotive

Remaining expressive and emotive is normally noticed as a deficiency of maturity. So, quite a few leaders rein in their thoughts in the office, against their pure tastes. My consumer turned mindful of how inauthentically he was behaving and observed that he was being perceived as aloof because he was reining in his vulnerability. He identified methods to channel feelings effectively, which opened the doorway for a deeper connection with personnel. – Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory

16. Exhibiting Compassion

Even though individual characteristics these types of as empathy and compassion have often been portrayed in the previous as vulnerabilities to be exploited, the pandemic has shown their requirement in the modern environment of operate. Challenging-line, stoic, command-and-handle strategies to management aren’t productive in most conditions. In the knowledge financial system, leaders need to foster commitment and collaboration through compassion. – Jonathan H. Westover, Human Cash Innovations, LLC