The Double-Edged Sword of Vulnerability in Leadership
Stu Haney
Stu has over 35 years of experience in the AEC industry. A teacher and a coach by nature, what’s most rewarding for Stu is helping others reach their full potential.
The Double-Edged Sword of Vulnerability in Leadership
Vulnerability is often celebrated as a hallmark of great leadership. Countless articles in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and WSJ highlight how leaders who are open, transparent, and willing to admit mistakes build trust, inspire loyalty, and create high-performing teams. And they’re right—up to a point.
But let’s talk about the other side of the coin.
Vulnerability, if overplayed or misplaced, can be a leader’s Achilles’ heel. You can be beloved, trusted, and successful—leading your company to new heights—only to be blindsided by betrayal. Julius Caesar wasn’t killed by his enemies. He was murdered by his closest allies.
In business, the dagger isn’t a literal blade but a backroom deal, a power grab, or a slow erosion of trust that leaves you exposed when it matters most. I’ve seen it happen. You trust fellow leaders to do what’s right, to uphold the values of the company, and to put the organization ahead of personal ambition. But not everyone plays by the same rules. Some will trade integrity for title, influence, or even just the fear of becoming irrelevant.
This isn’t a call to abandon vulnerability, it’s a call for balance. My predecessor as CEO treated the board of directors, made up of his partners, like a coiled-up snake! I was the opposite extreme. The right answer is probably somewhere in the middle.
Be open, but not naive. Share enough to inspire trust, but don’t give people the ammunition to undercut you.
Trust, but verify. Keep an eye on motivations, not just words. When someone starts making moves that don’t align with the company’s mission, pay attention.
Power dynamics are real. Leadership isn’t just about being likable or transparent. It’s also about being strong enough to withstand pressure and navigate the chess game happening around you.
Leaders that sustain know how to wield vulnerability without letting it become a weapon used against them. Stay open, stay human—but don’t forget to watch your back.
