When we think about great leaders, the image that often comes to mind is one of confidence, decisiveness, and control. But Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead challenges us to rethink what truly makes a leader exceptional. It’s not about having all the answers or exuding unshakable certainty—it’s about having the courage to be vulnerable.
For founders, especially those navigating the unpredictable landscape of startups, vulnerability can feel counterintuitive. Why would you expose doubt, admit mistakes, or share personal struggles when so much is at stake? The answer is simple: vulnerability is a leadership superpower. It builds trust, aligns teams with purpose, and fosters innovation. But it’s not without its challenges.
Let’s explore the transformative power of vulnerability in leadership and, more importantly, how you can put it into action as a founder.
NOTE: RCY Labs has curated a list of 52 books for Founders (2025 Edition) who care about business profitability AND impact. Don't have time to read all 52 books? We've got you! We'll read them for you, and give you the summaries, audio casts, outlines, and frameworks to apply to your business ... all FREE in the Founders' Lab Community (on Slack). Join here.
Why Vulnerability Matters: The Case for Courageous Leadership
Vulnerability is defined by Brené as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” In other words, it’s what founders experience every single day. Whether you’re pitching to investors, making a tough decision, or rallying your team after a setback, vulnerability is already a part of your reality. The question is: Are you embracing it or avoiding it?
When embraced, vulnerability creates connection. It builds trust by showing your team, investors, and stakeholders that you’re real—that you care deeply and are willing to take risks alongside them. Vulnerability also humanizes you as a leader. It’s what turns abstract visions into shared missions, and it’s what inspires others to follow you.
But vulnerability is not about oversharing or being unfiltered. It’s about intentionality—being brave enough to show up authentically and model the kind of culture you want to create.
Practical Advice for Founders: How to Lead with Vulnerability
1. Admit When You Don’t Know
As a founder, you’re expected to have answers. But pretending to know everything can backfire, especially when your team senses uncertainty. Instead of faking confidence, say, “I don’t know, but here’s what I propose we do next.”
This simple act builds trust and encourages collaboration. It also sends a powerful message: It’s okay not to have all the answers as long as you’re committed to finding them.
Try This:
In your next meeting, if a question arises that you can’t confidently answer, model vulnerability by admitting it—and invite input from your team.
2. Give and Receive Honest Feedback
Brené reminds us, “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” Avoiding hard conversations doesn’t spare feelings—it creates confusion and resentment. Leaders who practice vulnerability give feedback with clarity and compassion, even when it’s uncomfortable.
On the flip side, receiving feedback requires vulnerability too. It’s not easy to hear where you’ve fallen short, but openness to constructive criticism strengthens your leadership.
Try This:
Start your next feedback conversation by sharing your intention. For example: “My goal here is to help you succeed because I value your contribution.”
3. Own Your Mistakes
When things go wrong—and they inevitably will—vulnerable leaders own their part in the failure. This isn’t about self-blame; it’s about modeling accountability and showing your team that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.
Try This:
After a mistake, reflect on three questions:
- What happened?
- What did I learn?
- How can I ensure it doesn’t happen again?
Then share those insights with your team. You’ll show them that failure is part of growth, not something to be feared.
4. Share Your “Why”
People don’t connect with products or processes—they connect with purpose. Vulnerable leaders bring their personal “why” to the forefront. Why did you start this company? What personal experiences shaped your vision?
Sharing your story doesn’t just inspire—it aligns your team, investors, and customers with your mission.
Try This:
In your next all-hands meeting, share a personal story that connects to your company’s purpose. Be specific about why it matters to you.
5. Create Psychological Safety
Vulnerability is contagious. When leaders go first, they create space for others to show up authentically too. This is how psychological safety—the foundation of trust and innovation—is built.
Start by modeling openness. Share your highs and lows during team check-ins, encourage questions, and celebrate learning from mistakes. When your team feels safe, they’ll take risks, share ideas, and collaborate more effectively.
Try This:
In your next team meeting, invite everyone to share one success and one challenge they’ve faced recently. Lead by example and go first.
6. Align Vulnerability with Your Values
Vulnerability is most powerful when it’s grounded in purpose and values. As a leader, your actions should align with your company’s core values. If one of your values is innovation, for example, you might share a story about a time you failed while trying something new—and what you learned from it.
Try This:
Define two core values that guide your leadership. Then ask yourself: How do these values show up in my decisions and interactions?
The Upsides of Vulnerability in Leadership
When you embrace vulnerability as a leader, you unlock:
- Trust: Your team, investors, and customers feel connected to you because they see your humanity.
- Innovation: Psychological safety encourages bold ideas and creative problem-solving.
- Resilience: Failure becomes a stepping stone, not a roadblock.
- Authenticity: Your leadership feels real, not performative, which inspires loyalty and commitment.
- Purpose: Vulnerability keeps your mission alive and grounded, ensuring alignment even in turbulent times.
The upside is undeniable: companies led by vulnerable leaders don’t just perform—they thrive. They attract and retain talent, build stronger relationships with customers, and create cultures where people bring their best, most authentic selves to work.
The Challenges of Vulnerability in Leadership
Of course, leading with vulnerability isn’t without its challenges.
- Fear of Judgment: Admitting mistakes or uncertainty can feel risky, especially when you’re trying to establish credibility as a founder.
- Balancing Openness and Oversharing: Vulnerability isn’t about baring your soul indiscriminately—it’s about sharing thoughtfully and intentionally.
- Cultural Resistance: Not all organizations—or people—are immediately comfortable with vulnerability. It takes time to build a culture that embraces it.
The key is to lead with courage and discernment. Vulnerability doesn’t mean abandoning professionalism or boundaries—it means showing up with authenticity and integrity, even when it’s hard.
A Final Call to Action: Dare to Lead Vulnerably
Vulnerability is not a weakness. It’s not a liability. It’s a choice to be real, to connect, and to lead with heart. As Brené Brown so beautifully writes, “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
If you’re a founder, embracing vulnerability will challenge you, stretch you, and—most importantly—transform you. It’s the bridge between you and your team, between your mission and your impact.
So, what’s one small step you can take today to lead with vulnerability? Maybe it’s admitting a mistake, asking for help, or sharing your personal “why.” Whatever it is, remember: courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to show up anyway.
Because when you lead with vulnerability, you don’t just lead—you inspire.
NOTE: RCY Labs has curated a list of 52 books for Founders (2025 Edition) who care about business profitability AND impact. Don't have time to read all 52 books? We've got you! We'll read them for you, and give you the summaries, audio casts, outlines, and frameworks to apply to your business ... all FREE in the Founders' Lab Community (on Slack). Join here.
