There is no such thing as the perfect human being. There, I said it.
Did you feel that weight being lifted off your shoulders? Whew — feels good, doesn’t it?
Our digital, filtered-crazy world makes it really easy to believe in the fairy tale that you can do everything perfectly, all the time.
Make a mistake? Some smooth talkin’ will hide it.
Data doesn’t look good? Just slap a different filter on it.
Don’t know the answer? No problem, fake it with the answer AI spit out.
Heaven forbid someone finds out you are, gasp learning from your mistakes just like the rest of us!
Pretending you have it all figured out is an exhausting, lonely way to lead.
When we write and communicate from behind a mask of perfection, we shut down real human connection.
The problem is: You can’t build a strong culture, a thriving team, or a compelling brand as a lone wolf. You need community.
The pressure to be flawless in leadership is real. To compensate, we overcomplicate our communication, hide behind stiff corporate speak, and try to solve every crisis by our own strength. It might look nice and shiny, but it’s lonely, isolated living.
This matters because: Great leadership — and great writing — is never done by a lone wolf. It requires a two-way agreement between you and your people. You can’t expect your team, your clients, your collaborators, or even your customers to be honest with you if you aren't being honest with them. You must both choose to enter into the agreement for it to work.
This concept of a "two-way agreement" is one of five critical choices Trish Kendall, a world-traveling inspirational speaker, sales executive, and leadership coach, made on her journey to enduring success. In her keynotes, Trish shares how her life completely changed when she stopped trying to survive in isolation (she almost didn’t) and committed to a mutual, transparent two-way agreement with her sister.
As Trish puts it:
“I used to think that being vulnerable was a weakness. But when I finally had the courage to share my real story, I realized that vulnerability isn't weakness at all—it is the exact doorway to true belonging.”
So here’s the micro-lesson:
Real leadership requires the courage to be a vulnerable human being. We cannot do this life alone. It takes a community of folks to live fully, to embrace love, and to show up authentically. This is true in both our personal and professional lives.
According to Trish, here are three ways vulnerability transforms your leadership:
Vulnerability creates belonging: When you stop pretending to be perfect, you give your team permission to stop hiding behind professional masks and actually trust one another.
Leadership requires a two-way agreement: Great leaders have the courage to look their team in the eye and say, “I need your help. I can’t do this without you. Are you in?
Transparency builds unshakeable trust: As Trish says: “Trust is built in the micro-choices — by doing the little things great, showing up consistently, and being radically honest about where you are.”
Put it into practice:
Think of one place in your leadership where being more honest and vulnerable will help your team, clients, or business. Then:
Write a message that isn’t filtered, polished, or leaves out parts of the truth. Then, hit send. (You can do it!)
Share one real lesson, mistake, or “I need help” moment with your people. Don’t sugar coat it.
For either option above, be sure to add an action item (for example: “I’d love your input by Friday.”). Then keep an eye on the responses. And, ya know, reply back.
Clear, honest vulnerability can be your greatest ally. Drop the pretending, lead with truth.
How’d it go?
How did you share more honestly this week? How did your team respond? Please hit reply and let me know — I’d love to hear all about your experience!
AND…Trish and I are collaborating on her upcoming book!
Trish lives what she teaches and has partnered with me to write her upcoming memoir. We set up a trust-filled, two-way agreement: She trusts me to help her unpack the most unvarnished moments of her life and to hold those stories with loving care and I’ll help her turn her memories and reflections into a book that will capture and enthrall her readers, impacting their lives for the better. I’m both humbled and honored. AND freakin’ ecstatic that this book is one that I can share with the world. I’m not a ghost!
Over the coming months, Trish and I are inviting you along for the ride. We’re sharing the behind-the-scenes of what it actually takes to write a deeply impactful, personal book from scratch — the laughter, the challenges, and the trust agreement between two working moms required to bring soul to the page. Sign up for monthly email updates.
P.S. Random Things I’m Loving This Week
(These are not sponsors or affiliate links… just things I genuinely enjoy and want to share with you!)
Trish and I are collaborating on her upcoming book! OK, I said that already, but I’m so excited it’s here twice. Sign up for monthly email updates on the book journey!
Sourdough Monkey Bread — Warm, gooey, cinnamon-sugary balls of tangy, sourdough goodness in a beautiful bundt cake. It was even better as leftovers!
ProPass — Last week, I shared on LinkedIn that I am a founding expert on the ProPass App. ProPass is the only discovery-first marketplace built for real experts, not influencers. A chronological feed, no algorithm, real vetted experts, and everything (content, messages, sessions, packages) all in one place.
Fall Ya’ll — I had a pumpkin vine grow from compost last year and the harvest blew me away! We picked 28 small pumpkins (plus corn stalks and ornamental corn) and now my porch is officially fall ready.
