The Courage to Be Seen

The past few days have felt especially heavy. The tense geopolitical climate between India and Pakistan has cast a shadow over everything, and at the same time, I’ve been quietly battling storms in my own personal and professional life.

It’s been a period of deep reflection—one that’s forced me to revisit a trait I’ve come to value more than most: vulnerability.

It’s strange, isn’t it? That a “soft” trait like vulnerability could feel so powerful, even revolutionary. But the truth is, it’s often in our most fragile, uncertain moments that we find a hidden strength—the kind that doesn’t roar, but whispers, “Keep going.”

I often advocate for allowing ourselves to feel, to pause, to just be in our discomfort—because that space, though painful, can unlock a transformation in how we connect with the people and problems around us. But even I struggle. I go back and forth between putting on a brave face or admitting that I’m hurting, uncertain, or lost.

And yet—every time I choose to lean into my vulnerability, to be honest about where I am and what I’m going through—I’ve never once regretted it.

Let me be clear: vulnerability is not about wallowing or self-pity. It’s about showing up as your truest self, even when that self feels messy, emotional, or unsure.

Especially in leadership, vulnerability isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a skill. A muscle that requires practice, care, and intention.

A vulnerable leader doesn’t hide behind perfection. They allow others to see them—really see them—and in doing so, they give others permission to show up as themselves, too.

Brené Brown said it perfectly:

“Vulnerability is the first thing I look for in you and the last thing I’m willing to show you. In you, it’s courage. In me, it’s weakness.”

That quote hits hard because it’s so true. We admire vulnerability in others, but fear it in ourselves.

Take Satya Nadella, for example. As CEO of Microsoft, he publicly owned up to past mistakes, apologized, and created space for honest conversations. That kind of courage doesn’t come from having all the answers. It comes from being real.

So the question I’ve been asking myself is this: How can I show up as myself and still be respected?

Here’s what I’m learning:

• Care deeply for the people around you. Don’t let shame silence you. There’s strength in asking your team what went wrong, especially when it’s a project you led. That honesty builds trust.

• Care deeply for yourself. When you show up as your authentic self, you stop fearing the “what ifs” and start embracing the “what next.” Vulnerability helps you move forward, not stay stuck.

• Remind yourself—and others—that we all deserve to feel worthy and like we belong. You don’t need to earn that feeling. It’s your starting point.

Because here’s the truth: life won’t always go as planned. Projects will fail. Plans will change. Emotions will run high. But vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s power. It’s the courage to be real in a world that constantly asks us to wear masks.

As I sit with everything happening in the world and within myself, I’m learning that the more I allow myself to be seen, the more I can actually lead—with heart, with honesty, and with hope.