The power of strategic vulnerability

This is where a leader’s ability to say, “I’m disappointed” can be so powerful. 

• It evokes an emotional response in employees, capturing their attention, and mobilizing them to take action. 
• But it does not convey anger or generate distress, making it easier for employees to tolerate their emotional arousal and diminishing the risk that they’ll need to distance themselves from the situation. 
• And it does convey vulnerability, in a regulated and measured form, making it more likely that employees will actually empathize with the leader and be motivated to work with them to resolve the problem without undermining faith in the leader’s capabilities.