Brene Brown’s December 23, 2010 TED talk on The Power of Vulnerability attracted 64,845,208 views (as of today) and made vulnerability cool. So why is it stigmatized as a weakness in business environments?
Leaders like
are changing all that. Guided by a vision for inner freedom and expression of the highest potential in each person and company, my conversation with Garry is upfront and personal.
The journey to move beyond limits takes an epiphany or a catalyst; some sense of compelling need to move past stagnation into growth, accompanied by a state of openness that opens many doors.
It also provides stability and trust for times that are anything but stable, and conditions that challenge trust and intuition. It is a road that is associated with more trust than fear and one I resisted for a long time.
Vulnerability didn’t mean weakness to me. It was more a question of emotional safety, but nine years of being on the road changed all that. Sometimes the hardest experiences are the best.
Garry Turner shares two pivotal moments in his life that led to significant personal growth. The first was experiencing bullying as a child, which he held onto emotionally for over 25 years. The second was a moment of realization nine years ago when despite having a successful career and family, he felt empty inside, prompting him to explore his inner world. Garry’s journey of self-discovery led him to embrace curiosity and playfulness, which transformed his perspective on work and relationships. He emphasizes the importance of seeking support and guidance from others during this process and highlights the shift from conforming to external expectations to acting from a place of inner security and authenticity.
The conversation touches on the importance of networks, experimentation, and community in driving systemic change.
Emotions in workplaces can be denied which results in their suppression. Emotions set us apart from AI and robots. Logically, releasing repressed emotions, embracing curiosity, and finding freedom in being true to oneself is the essential journey. If we are to create a world that affirms life and moves away from force as the go-to for decision-makers, then vulnerability is the portal.
Expect to hear:
the importance of intuitive awareness in decision-making, both for himself and others.
the significance of staying aligned with one's sense of purpose to avoid being pulled in multiple directions.
moving from seeking validation to focusing on what makes sense in the moment.
bringing vulnerability and an authentic self into corporate spaces, initiating conversations on sensitive topics like diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
the transformation of leadership, advocating for a shift from traditional command and control structures to self-organizing and vulnerability-centered leadership.
the challenges faced in traditional hierarchical organizations, where fear of loss of power and privilege inhibits progress toward more inclusive and just practices.
tangible examples of how he introduced self-managed structures and vulnerability into his team, leading to significant business growth.
a personal experience of self-imposed stress and the importance of taking time to allow the mind to settle.
the practice of deep breathing and the ability to observe life from a detached perspective, facilitating more intentional responses to situations.
Reflective Questions:
What is the role of vulnerability in your life?
How do you respond to the word emotionally?
What could be possible if vulnerability was practiced in your workplace by leaders in authority or at the team level?
Garry is a content creator hosting two podcasts, Value through Vulnerability and Activating Consciousness, writing blogs, and hosting livestreams around deeply human and systemic topics. Garry's links are here: https://linktr.ee/HexoChangeGarryTurner See also Hegemony Revealed on YouTube.
These are times when true leaders accept the challenge of moving past fear to realize a much deeper adaptive capacity. Garry's experience illustrates what is possible when you refuse to let fear-based thinking set the limits for what you are capable of experiencing and co-creating.
He has very kindly interviewed me on Episode 45 of Value Through Vulnerability.
Emotions are powerful energies and are best applied to well-being and adaptability. What if the worst events in your life were used to attain freedom?
Vulnerability: Moving through Fear to Inner Freedom with Garry Turner