Vulnerable strength
By Kerryn Vaughan
5th March 2026
Vulnerable strength might sound like the opposing ends of magnets, but together, the two simple words are a powerful combination.
Vulnerable strength stands there, openly raw and with solid presence, saying, “I’m here… and I’m hurting… and I’m still capable.”
For a long time, I misunderstood what strength actually was.
When my sister died, I convinced myself that being strong meant being the stoic one. I believed that if I held myself together tightly enough, and with no signs of grief, everyone else would feel safer. I thought that was love and I thought it was strength.
But it wasn’t strength at all, it was suppression dressed up as resilience.
What I’ve learned - through immense amounts of pain and gratitude - is that real strength is having the courage to say, “This is hard,” without dissolving into self-pity, and without expecting anyone to rescue you. It’s being open about the pain while still standing firmly in your presence. It’s being ok with not being ok.
Vulnerable strength doesn’t beg for, or imply the need for sympathy. It offers connection and reminds others they aren’t alone in their own battles, while providing the safety and opportunity to speak their truth too. Something they may not have felt they could do previously.
And here’s the part I didn’t expect: when you allow yourself to speak honestly about adversity, people don’t see you as weak. They trust you more and feel safer around you.
And if you’re a leader, this really matters.
Not because leaders need to stand on a pedestal and bare their souls, but if you can show what it looks like to navigate pain without shutting down, blaming others, or falling into a helpless mess, you give your team permission to also be human. That matters more than you might realise.
You create space where honesty is encouraged, and you show that being impacted by life doesn’t reduce your ability to be a great leader. You openly show that strength and vulnerability are natural companions.
Vulnerable strength is about being honest and grounded, while saying, “I’m working through something, but I’m here,” and that human honesty simultaneously allows others to be human too.
Kerryn Vaughan is the author of ‘Magnificent Kids!’ and ‘Get Off The Bench!’, co-founder of Girls With Hammers, and host of Get Off The Bench Podcast.
Kerryn is a leadership facilitator and the founder of Confident Leaders Program and The Confidence CAP, as well as an accredited DISC ADVANCED® consultant.