Brené Brown, the researcher behind one of the most popular TED talks, “The Power of Vulnerability,” says to start a meeting with a quick two-word check-in.
Brown spoke at a PCMA leadership meeting in Houston this week, explaining why this simple approach is important. Each participant used only two words to describe their current emotional state. The beauty of this exercise, she explains, is that it’s brief while still allowing people to express their feelings without judgment. “There are a lot of heavy-hearted people in the world,” she said.
the power of emergence
While many believe vulnerability is a weakness that should be avoided in business environments, Brown questions this assumption. She believes that vulnerability is not weakness, but strength and true leadership.
“When you can’t predict the outcome, that’s when vulnerability comes in and you take it all in,” she said. “Being willing to show up, be uncomfortable, and realize that being uncomfortable is what courage feels like, that’s bold leadership.”
This sentiment resonated with many attendees. As Carrie Davenport, chief events manager at Altria, points out, “While the unspoken best practice in leadership has long been to remove words like your life, emotions, and vulnerability from the workplace, there is now a Transform and bring these back so that you can be your most authentic leader.
human factor
“What you do is really hard,” Brown told the audience. “People are not doing so well today and it’s getting more difficult.”
Despite these challenges, Brown emphasized the unique value of in-person meetings. “Connection is at the heart of what you do. Creating an experience where people feel seen and heard,” she said. She points out that successful parties have a measurable impact: “When people leave the party, they have more energy than they brought with them.”
This focus on meaningful connections is gaining traction in the industry. “I love this new trend where people are dedicating more real networking time to the meetings they are hosting,” she said. “Let me tell you, it pays off.”
The future of leadership
Brown remains focused on human capabilities when dealing with artificial intelligence and other technological changes. “To be a successful leader, you must be good at building trust, engagement and people skills that no technology can replace,” she said. Her message is clear: “We need the skills to be human. That will be all that’s left.
