We have all heard of vulnerability and we all know what it feels like to be vulnerable. Talking about mistakes, challenges, struggles, and showing emotion in our personal lives have tremendous value. But what about inside of our organizations where we have a very different dynamic?
Today’s conversation is with Joel Quadracci, CEO of Quad, a full-service marketing agency with around 16,000 employees. Joel shares the importance of authenticity and “being real” in leadership, arguing that vulnerability should not be seen as a weakness but rather as a sign of genuine human connection.
As a leader at my company I’m expected to be strong, bold, courageous, visionary, competent, and confident. Yet at the same time, my employees want me to be vulnerable and talk about my challenges, struggles, failures, and personal life. How can I reconcile and balance these two seemingly opposing truths?
It’s no secret that I’m working on my next book exploring leadership and vulnerability. I’ve already interviewed over 100 CEOs and surveyed nearly 14,000 employees in partnership with DDI World.