“Super Hero”. Artist: Jeroen Van Oostrom/Freedigitalphotos.net. ID: 100125802.
“To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable; to make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength” (Criss Jami)
Regardless of whether you are a newly selected leader or a senior leader with years of experience, perhaps one of the most crucial elements to your success as a leader will be the capability of being vulnerable, and knowing how to best express and communicate that vulnerability. Being a vulnerable leader is not equal to running around crying or being out of balance in general, although a tear spread every now and then for a reason only does demonstrate that you are humane.
From a scientific perspective, the act of crying is defined as a complex secretomotorphenomenon characterized by the shedding of tears from the lacrimal apparatus. In some cultures, crying is regarded selfish while others tend to show more acceptance towards this, as with expressing emotions in general.
However, vulnerability has not necessarily much to do with how well an individual can express his/her emotions, but rather in what manner the individual does express these, and how he/she deals with the emotions of other individuals/coworkers.
Vulnerability is not weakness. And that myth is profoundly dangerous. Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change. (Brene Brown)
It takes courage to express vulnerability. To be sensitive, but strong, at the same time.
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. (Saint Francis de Sales)
Every leader knows that he/she is a social being, dependent upon other individuals.
No man is an iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee…. (John Donne, original from year 1624)
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges for an empathetic leader is to learn how to set boundaries. As a leader you have to realize that you cannot help everyone. And, you have to help yourself first – if you are too vulnerable, you will end up helping others to the point that you feel completely drained of energy. Thus, to develop healthy vulnerability is the ability of setting boundaries, being centered, focused and balanced. Rather than doing everything for others, teach them how to help themselves. Rather than doing everything by yourself, learn how to involve people, and let others help you too.
Always be yourself, keep growing, and surround yourself with people and circumstances that support your growth. Spend time with different people and learn from them, but also remember to take some time out for yourself and engage in activities which allow you to stay connected with your intuition, and your true nature.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
The difference between successful and really successful people is this: really successful people say no to almost everything. (Warren Buffet)
Think about individuals from your own circles, or celebrities, who have become truly successful through vulnerability. What can you possibly learn from these people?
“As a magician, you must think about chaos and order. Those are the two forces that control the universe”. (Rick Riordan).
During my entire life I have had the pleasure and opportunity to encounter countless people, individuals, and professionals who have not only become my mentors, teachers, friends, business contacts, and much more than I could ever have imagined. The lessons I have learned through experiences, observation, analysis and open-mindedness expand much farther than I could ever have imagined.
My fears in the past have been huge, perhaps the most important reason why I so eagerly want to help other people in overcoming their fears, and using their fears as a stepping stone towards manifesting true greatness. I am fearful, but I am also very courageous, because it takes a lot of courage to be capable of admitting that you actually are fearful. We all have fears, but only when overcoming those fears can we truly become capable of manifesting the most magical things in life, and business.
We are all creative individuals with the ability to create, and develop, the most wonderful things and circumstances. The moment we, or you, realize your true potential, you become a magician to whom nothing is impossible.
Many times creativity is undervalued, mainly due to narrow-mindedness, legal restrictions and so forth. But true creativity, when fully expressed, knows no limits.
Children are naturally creative. Until they have to adjust to the general rules of life, being restricted and limited to express themselves in a creative, and expected to behave in a certain manner. Why is creativity so strongly being suppressed in a world that so strongly longs for increased creativity?
The world needs creativity, and creation. Just think about it for a moment. If you had no limits to what you want to create, and how you want to see planet Earth develop in the coming decades, what would you do? What would you create? How would you create it?
In your creative endeavors, forget about money. Too many individuals think in terms of money, and restrict themselves due to monetary issues. If money were no issue, what would you do? What would you create?
Individuals who are accustomed to creativity do not put money on top of their list of priorities. Needless to say, we all know that this list includes e.g. creative artists, but also entrepreneurs from all possible industries.
What I have learned from truly successful entrepreneurs is their capability of taking risks, being ready to invest their time and effort for something they believe in rather than working in a “secure” 9 to 5 job, investing in building relationships, networking, and utilizing their creativity to a full potential.
YOU, my friend, are a creative magician, blessed with many talents and capabilities of creating a future world of your dreams. Your creative ideas and actions are valuable. You may have ideas that can change the course of many people’s lives, leading to the Golden Age to which the Universe is guiding us with the help of creativity, creative expression, and creative actions.
Stop waiting for magic to happen in your life. Get out there and make it happen with your mad magician skills. (Chris Cade).
The most important thing in life is to stop saying “I wish”, and start saying, I will. (David Copperfield).
Nature is like a magician. You should watch it attentively and carefully. (statusmind.com)
Some people think it is impossible to change the future, but in reality, the future is only what you make it. (Dynamo Magician)
It’s kind of fun to do the impossible. (Walt Disney)
Yesterday ́s fairy tale is today ́s fact. The magician is only one step ahead of his audience. (Anne Morrow Lindbergh).
Anne-Maria Yritys 
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