I can’t teach you how to be vulnerable.
All I can do is tell you about how powerful it is, and attempt to point you in the right direction. But even there I’ll fall short. I know less about it than I’d like to admit.
Vulnerability makes us approachable. It makes us likable. It makes us trustworthy. It’s one of the quickest ways to connect with someone you’ve never met before.
And isn’t that the goal of advertising? To talk to someone who’s never met you and make them instantly like and trust you.
So, yes, being vulnerable is powerful. But it’s also hard to do. It can take many subtle forms not inherently obvious. While the obvious tactics tend to land a little short.
For example, self-deprecation, in itself, is not the same thing as Vulnerability. Anyone who thinks you can be vulnerable just by saying something like, “I’m such an idiot,” probably is one.
Sorry. That was harsh. I shouldn’t have said that. I say those kinds of things sometimes to emphasize a point. I’ll be kinder going forward.
My point was, self-deprecation can be an aspect of vulnerability, but it’s not the whole thing.
See what I mean about subtlety?
So, while I can’t comment on the width and breadth of vulnerability, here are some ways I’ve found to be vulnerable:
1 Talk about your limits. What can’t you do or what aren’t you good at?
2 Reveal failings and weaknesses. What makes you human?
3 Explain your thinking behind the decisions you make.
These are not the only ways to be vulnerable, but they’re a good start. If you need examples then start at the top and read this post again.
– Zac Smith, VC
