We tend to think of vulnerability as something weak or fragile, something to avoid. We suppress uncomfortable feelings in order to put on a display of strength. Shame researcher Brene Brown teaches us the opposite is in fact true- that vulnerability itself is a source of strength, essential for authenticity, creativity and genuine connection.
Dr. Brown’s Ted talk on vulnerability is now in the top 10 most watched worldwide, for good reason. I listened to the audiobook ‘The Power of Vulnerability’ on Audible (a series of her talks on the subject) and found it revelatory. I think there has been a similar impact on culture over recent years, perhaps in part due to the nature of current technology. It seems to me to be a progressive zeitgeist moment.