Brené Brown

Well, let's define it.

Vulnerability is the emotion we experience when we are up against uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.

So vulnerability is what I feel.

It's the cringe.

the awkward, the emotion I feel in times of uncertainty, risk, or emotional exposure.

So it was really interesting because I had a hard time helping people understand because we are so raised to believe that vulnerability is weakness.

that it took a trip to Fort Bragg working with special forces to ask soldiers a question.

Give me a single example of courage in your life.

One example that you've witnessed or you yourself have done.

One example of courage that did not require uncertainty, risk, or emotional exposure.

No one could answer it.

Finally, a young soldier stood up and said, three tours.

There is no courage without vulnerability.

So is vulnerability important?

It is if we want to be brave with our lives.

If we want to be able to manage ourselves in a way that's values aligned and courageous, we have to be able to reconcile how we feel when we're uncertain, at risk, or exposed.

I mean, and really, weirdly...

The next week after the trip to Fort Bragg, I was with the Seattle Seahawks, the football team, NFL team.

Asked the players, give me an example of courage on the field or off that did not require vulnerability.

They said that it's not possible.