Leadership: The Art of Balancing Strength and Vulnerability

The leadership moment when you realize you do not have to have all the answers.

Let's be real—leading a team isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds.  Behind the decision-making and strategic planning, there's a lot of pressure, uncertainty…moments where you’re just trying to figure things out as you go.

If you’re a leader, you’ve probably faced those days where you’re questioning whether you're doing it right.  You're juggling expectations at a frantic pace.  Your team who looks to you for guidance.  Upper management wants to see a productivity uptick to increase the bottom line.  These can be intimidating.  But what about your own goals and ambitions?  It can feel overwhelming.  But here's the thing: leadership isn't about having all the answers.  It’s about the balance between strength and vulnerability.

The Struggle: Feeling Like You Have to Be “The Expert” All the Time

You might feel like you’re supposed to know everything—how to motivate your team, solve every problem, and make all the right calls.  But let’s get one thing straight: no one knows everything.  The best leaders are not the ones who have all the answers; they are the ones who are willing to learn, grow, and adapt alongside their team.

Here’s the truth: It's okay not to have it all figured out.  Showing vulnerability as a leader can strengthen the relationship between you and your team.  When they see you admitting that you don’t know it all, it encourages them to take risks, ask questions, and share their unique ideas.

The Leadership Dilemma: Balancing Authority and Approachability

As a leader, there’s this constant push-pull between being a figure of authority and being approachable.  You want to maintain respect, but you also don’t want to create an environment where your team feels like they can’t come to you.

If you’ve ever been in a situation where your team is hesitant to speak up, you know how frustrating it can be.  You need their input and their creativity.  You need their honesty.  But how do you get that without crossing the line into being too soft or too strict?

The key is balance.  Lead with empathy, but also set clear expectations.  Establishing boundaries is essential, but so is showing that you care about your team's success.  It’s not about being one or the other.  It’s about blending both strengths in a way that creates an environment where people feel safe to express themselves, while respecting your leadership.

Practical Tips for Leading with Both Strength and Vulnerability:

1. Embrace Imperfection: Nobody expects you to be perfect.  Your mistakes can become the best lessons for your team.  Own up to them, and you'll find your team will follow your example.  They’ll learn that making mistakes is part of growing.  They’ll realize that transparency builds trust.

2. Ask for Feedback: Leaders who never ask for feedback are the ones who miss out on valuable insights.  Check in with your team regularly to see how they feel about the direction you’re heading.  It can be uncomfortable at first, but getting real, honest feedback is a key part of leadership growth.

3. Communicate Clearly and Consistently: When things are tough, your team needs to hear from you more than ever.  Even if you don’t have all the answers, share what you do know.  Don’t leave them in the dark.  It’s the lack of communication that breeds anxiety, not the challenges themselves.

4. Be Open to Change: Good leaders evolve.  Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all model, and what worked yesterday might not work today.  Don’t be afraid to adjust your approach based on what your team needs.

5. Lead by Example: If you want your team to take risks, make bold moves, or work hard, you have be willing to do the same.  Lead from the front.  Set the pace, model the behavior, and show them what it looks like to be fully invested in the team’s success.

The Bottom Line: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Leadership is tough, but you’re probably doing better than you give yourself credit for.  You’ve taken on the responsibility of guiding others toward success.  That is a huge accomplishment. The key is not to get bogged down by the pressure of having everything figured out.

Your team is looking for a leader who is strong enough to make tough decisions, yet vulnerable enough to be relatable and open.  Striking that balance takes time and practice, but trust me…it’s worth it.

So, if you’re sitting at your desk right now, feeling overwhelmed or unsure, take a deep breath. You’re doing great.  Just keep showing up and stay connected with your team.  

Remember…leadership is a journey, not a destination.

Everything rises and falls on leadership ~ John C. Maxwell