The Value of Vulnerability
Contributed by Stephanie Ford, Director, Warren Whitney
Vulnerability. It’s a word that can evoke discomfort, particularly in professional settings. Yet, when approached with intentionality, vulnerability can be the cornerstone of authentic leadership and a catalyst for fostering trust, creativity, and resilience in the workplace.
Do you remember Jerry Seinfeld’s observation that at a funeral, most people would rather be in the coffin than deliver the eulogy? As humorous as it is, that quip reveals a deeper truth: being vulnerable, whether in public speaking or expressing emotions, can feel daunting. But why?
The Challenge of Vulnerability
Being vulnerable often feels like exposing weaknesses or risking judgment. In the workplace, where professionalism and competence are paramount, the stakes can seem even higher. Yet, this hesitation overlooks a critical fact: vulnerability isn’t about weakness; it’s about courage.
To be vulnerable is to share honestly, to seek feedback, and to own mistakes—all actions that require immense bravery. It challenges us to step outside our comfort zones, confront fears, and risk rejection. But in doing so, we create space for connection, growth, and innovation.
Being vulnerable in the workplace can look different depending on the leader’s personality and industry. What might work well in a technology corporate office setting is likely different than what works well in a manufacturing or warehouse worker setting. In all cases, know your audience and consider the environment.
Vulnerability and Leadership
What does vulnerability have to do with leadership? Everything.
Authentic leadership thrives on transparency and trust—qualities that vulnerability cultivates. Consider the story of a Richmond-based CEO and Chairman. Faced with a pivotal moment in his leadership journey, he invited his executive team to share unfiltered feedback on his performance. Sitting in the center of the room, open to critique, he began a transformative journey to evolve his leadership style.
His willingness to embrace vulnerability not only strengthened his leadership—it reshaped his organization’s culture, driving retention and revenue growth. His example underscores that vulnerability is not just a personal development tool but a strategic asset.
The Workplace Impact
Research supports the power of vulnerability. A study highlighted in a Hidden Brain podcast examined workplace safety and found that cultures where mistakes were openly acknowledged—not punished—fostered greater trust, lower turnover, and higher satisfaction. Conversely, organizations where employees feared admitting errors cultivated anxiety and inefficiency.
A culture that embraces vulnerability encourages learning from failure, an essential ingredient for innovation. By reframing mistakes as opportunities for growth, leaders can inspire resilience and creativity within their teams.
Rewriting the Narrative
Often, our resistance to vulnerability stems from the stories we tell ourselves—narratives that shape our perceptions and limit our potential. For example, we might view past failures as personal shortcomings rather than stepping stones to success. By reframing these stories, we can transform our self-perception and unlock new possibilities.
Reflect on a past failure. What lessons emerged from that experience? How did it shape your growth or perspective? These reflections reveal the rewards of vulnerability: resilience, innovation, and connection.
Traits of Authentic Leadership
At its core, vulnerability aligns with the hallmarks of authentic leadership:
- Self-awareness: Understanding and accepting your strengths and areas for growth.
- Transparency: Fostering open and honest communication.
- Values alignment: Leading with principles that resonate personally and professionally.
- Servant leadership: Prioritizing the needs of others to create an environment where everyone thrives.
Steps to Embrace Vulnerability
So, how can you begin integrating vulnerability into your leadership and workplace culture? Here are practical steps to guide the way:
Show humanity: Share personal experiences, admit mistakes, and be open about challenges. Authenticity fosters trust.
Practice empathy: Treat others with compassion and consideration, especially during difficult conversations.
Reframe setbacks: View failures as opportunities to learn and innovate. Lead by example in embracing this mindset.
Create safe spaces: Encourage open dialogue where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns without fear of judgment.
The Rewards of Vulnerability
Vulnerability builds trust, strengthens relationships, and enhances collaboration. It transforms workplaces into environments where employees feel valued, empowered, and connected.
As English author Neil Gaiman once said, “The moment that you feel you are walking down the street naked, that’s the moment that you may be starting to get it right.” Vulnerability, though uncomfortable, is a powerful force for change.
Moving Forward
To harness the benefits of vulnerability, reflect on your leadership style and organizational culture. What steps can you take to foster authenticity within your team? What barriers must you overcome to embrace this approach?
Remember, vulnerability is a journey, not a destination. Start small, acknowledge the challenges, and commit to consistent practice. The results—stronger connections, deeper trust, and greater innovation—are well worth the effort.
Go forth, and lead with vulnerability!
Fall Leaders Conference 2025 Announced!
The Fall Leaders Conference is open to all leaders, not just VACEOs members.
Join VACEOs on September 25, 2025, at the Jepson Alumni Center to spend the afternoon with Ross Bernstein.
Are you ready to inspire your team, sharpen your leadership edge, and connect with fellow business leaders who are striving for greatness? Don’t miss the VACEOs Fall Leaders Conference — a high-impact event open to business owners, C-suite executives, and their teams.
This year’s conference features an electrifying keynote from internationally acclaimed speaker and best-selling author Ross Bernstein. With over 50 books to his name and appearances on CNN, ESPN, Fox News, and “CBS This Morning,” Ross brings a powerful and practical message about what it truly takes to win — in sports, in business, and in life.
🎤 Keynote Highlight: Ross Bernstein
“The Champion’s Code: Building Relationships Through Life Lessons of Integrity and Accountability from the Sports World to the Business World”
Ross has spent years interviewing over 1,000 professional athletes and coaches who were all part of championship teams. His research uncovers the common traits that separate good teams from great ones — and shows how those same principles apply to building elite business cultures.
In this high-energy, visually engaging session, Ross will share:
- What makes champions in sports — and how to replicate that mindset in your business
- How servant leadership and a strong moral compass drive sustained success
- The role of integrity, ethics, and “doing things the right way” in building lasting relationships
- Practical strategies to build a culture of excellence and become a trusted partner to your clients
- How to turn disruption into opportunity and create momentum in your organization
Whether you’re a founder, executive, or rising leader, this session will leave you energized and equipped with real-world insights you can immediately put into practice.
💼 Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for:
- CEOs, business owners, and entrepreneurs
- Senior leaders and executive teams
- High-potential managers and team leaders
- Anyone passionate about driving growth and culture in their organization
Bring your team for a shared learning experience that will elevate your entire organization.
🗓️ Don’t Miss Out!
The Fall Leaders Conference is one of the most anticipated events of the year for our community. It’s your chance to step away from the day-to-day, invest in your growth, and return with fresh ideas and renewed motivation.
The afternoon will conclude with a networking reception.
Reserve your spot today — and start building your championship team.
Sponsors
Thank you to Robins School of Business Graduate Programs for being a sponsor of this event!
A limited number of other sponsorships are available. Contact us at info@vaceos.org for more information.
Schedule for the day:
Thursday, September 25
12:30 PM: Registration and Networking
1:00 PM: Welcome and Announcements
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Ross Bernstein, “The Champions’ Code” (with three 15-minute breaks)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Reception
VACEOs Presents McCabe Award to JJ White
The Virginia Council of CEOs (VACEOs), a non-profit association serving more than 200 small and mid-sized business owners and CEOs through peer roundtables and exclusive learning events, presented the Charles E. McCabe Leadership Award to JJ White on May 1, 2025 at the annual VACEOs Spring Retreat held at Kingsmill Resort.
The McCabe Leadership Award, presented by the VACEOs Board of Directors, recognizes members who make significant, long-term leadership contributions to the association. Chuck McCabe, Founding Chairman of the Council, was fittingly named as the first recipient of the award in 2017.
JJ White joined VACEOs in 2010. At the time, he was growing his Dale Carnegie franchise into one of the most successful in the nation.
It didn’t take long for JJ to get involved in leadership. In 2016, he chaired the Membership Committee and led the very first “One Great CEO” campaign. Some may recall that the initial One Great CEO message featured a realistic photo of the One Great CEO logo being tattooed on a man’s arm. The headline read, “You don’t have to get the tattoo, like JJ did …”. JJ went on to grow that campaign – and VACEOs – with it.
In 2017, JJ joined the VACEOs Board of Directors. He was soon elected vice-chairman and then chairman of the Board in 2019. Of course, he led his CEO Roundtable multiple times. But what everyone who knows JJ is sure of, is that he is a leader of leaders – and we are fortunate to have had him lead us.
David Ingram, the 2023 McCabe award recipient and a close friend of JJ’s, said while reading the award citation, “One of the core values of EOS is Help First. There’s no one that exemplifies that value better than JJ White.”
Why Retreats Matter for VACEOs Roundtables and Forums
Retreats are not just a tradition—they’re a powerful and enjoyable best practice for VACEOs Roundtables and Forums. We strongly encourage every group to take a two- to three-day retreat each year. Forum expert Mo Fathelbab puts it best: “A single retreat can have as much value for group growth as six to 12 months of meetings.”
These retreats aren’t just casual getaways. They’re thoughtfully planned with a formal agenda, often including the same updates and presentations you’d expect at a regular meeting. Many groups also incorporate exercises designed to deepen understanding and strengthen connections among members. Some even bring in outside facilitators to guide development or learning sessions.
But retreats aren’t all business—play is a key ingredient to their success. Over the years, our CEOs have bonded through activities like fishing, biking, off-roading, climbing, shooting, baking, gaming, racing, wine tasting, attending NBA and NFL games, factory tours, and more. Cooking together and exploring unique dining experiences have also become favorite traditions for many groups.
Each group makes the experience their own. One VACEOs Roundtable gathers annually at a member’s house on the Chesapeake Bay. Another Forum explores a new city each year, leveraging member connections to visit interesting businesses or entrepreneurs.
Ultimately, retreats offer our CEO peer groups a chance to recharge, reconnect, and come away with deeper, more meaningful relationships.
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