12.03.2026
Since Brené Brown wrote her book ‘The Power of Vulnerability’, showing vulnerability has been considered a good thing. Really? What does that actually mean? And why should it be beneficial? Especially at a time when neo-machos are on the rise again, demonstratively exercising their unchecked power and feeling good about being bullies, without a guilty conscience. Should one really show vulnerability in this environment? Or is it better to appear infallible and omnipotent in order to keep up?
Let's get one thing straight: vulnerability has nothing to do with excessive sensitivity, selfish needs that others have to fulfil, whining or seeking pity. Vulnerability is also not a weakness that needs to be hidden. Vulnerability is what we find when we want to grow, when we push our boundaries, when we take risks and when we explore, learn and experiment with new things. In short: when we leave the familiar and tried-and-tested behind. Vulnerability is completely normal outside the comfort zone – where not everything succeeds, many things go wrong and not everything works. Instead of being happy that we have once again eliminated some of the impossibilities, we are ashamed of our mistakes, failures and shortcomings, sweep them under the carpet, find excuses, blame others and make explanations in an attempt to restore our ego. There is nothing wrong with that in itself, but it is not helpful in terms of moving forward. Because in our comfort zone, where we know how to do things and do everything right, we cannot grow – but we look good.
