Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

Today, the Transition Team (TT) that was assembled to help facilitate effective conversation and feedback on a major structural change and ultimate refresh/rebirth of our company met to discuss a status update.

On topic was the young professionals group (YPG) that met the two days prior and saw, as a group, our presentation on why and how the company is changing.

As the TT recounted some of the dialog from the YPG, the repeated theme was: despite the efforts the company was making to communicate key messages, the efforts felt too thought out and too “scripted”. They wanted genuine, honest, intimate dialog with cussing and believable discussion.

I offered up that I would love to spend all day bullshitting and having one-to-one conversations filled with expletives. (I’m happy to show my unscripted, genuine and vulnerable side and often do it without being provoked.) In fact, the challenges I went through to become willing to share inner thoughts and feelings were entirely uncomfortable but once practiced regularly, it seems irreversible.

I caught a quote on LinkedIn today that made me feel better about my vulnerability.

“I think the people who wade into discomfort and vulnerability and tell the truth about their stories are the real badasses in this world,” says professor and best-selling author Brené Brown.

I proceeded to watch her TED talk on vulnerability. Google it. It’s worth the 20 minutes.

It’s human nature to seek comfort. For whatever reasons, I abandoned that early in life and replaced it with seeking results, organization, articulation, and solutions through root cause analysis. I didn’t embrace discomfort but also wasn’t motivated by comfort.

However, as Brene’ points out in her talk, whole-hearted people who are courageous enough not to numb their pain with purchases, food, or addictive substances … rather embrace the full spectrum of emotions … are able to experience joy and love in their full glory.

Beware that displaying vulnerability and telling the truth about your story can be misconstrued.
•Some might argue you suffer hubris. •Others may believe you overshare.
•Yet others might wonder why you don’t keep those feelings to yourself, like they choose to.

Now I know, as Brene’ points out, I’m just a badass.

Have a blessed weekend!