​As a business owner and leader, I have come to realize that embracing vulnerability is one of the most powerful tools for fostering a supportive team environment. In an industry where success often seems synonymous with perfection, revealing our challenges can be daunting. However, I have learned that sharing my struggles opens the door to deeper connections, trust, and ultimately, a stronger team.

**Why Vulnerability Matters:**

1. **Building Trust:** When leaders share their challenges—whether it's managing anxiety, overcoming setbacks, or navigating complex decisions—it signals to the team that it’s okay to be human. This authenticity fosters trust, allowing team members to feel safe expressing their own challenges without fear of judgment.

2. **Encouraging Open Communication:** I have found that when I openly discuss my experiences, it encourages my team to communicate more freely as well. This two-way communication creates a culture where feedback is welcomed and valued, leading to innovative ideas and solutions that benefit the entire organization.

3. **Strengthening Team Dynamics:** Vulnerability can break down barriers between team members, creating a sense of camaraderie. Sharing our stories—whether personal or professional—helps us see each other as whole individuals, not just as titles or roles. This understanding cultivates empathy and collaboration.

4. **Promoting Resilience:** In my journey, I have faced my fair share of challenges, including struggles with anxiety and the weight of responsibilities as a business owner. By sharing these experiences, I aim to show my team that setbacks are a part of growth. How we respond to these challenges ultimately shapes our success.

5. **Leading by Example:** As leaders, we set the tone for our teams. By modeling vulnerability, we empower others to embrace their own journeys, learn from mistakes, and celebrate successes—big or small.

Incorporating vulnerability into leadership is not a sign of weakness; it is a bold move toward creating a more resilient and engaged workforce. Let’s shift the narrative that leadership is about having all the answers. Instead, let’s celebrate the power of being authentic and real with one another.

I encourage all of you to reflect on your own leadership styles. How can you incorporate vulnerability into your daily interactions? Let’s start a conversation. Your experiences may inspire others to embrace their own authenticity in leadership.

We’re often told to set goals, make a plan, and see it through. In business, that focus is critical – it keeps us grounded, moving forward, and working toward success. But what happens when those plans start to feel off course or, even worse, no longer light us up?

Earlier this year, I was 100% sure I had found my next big thing. Coming out of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, I had a rock-solid plan for a second branch of business, a well-structured roadmap I was certain would be a game-changer in my industry. I worked for months on it, investing my time, energy, and passion, and had the full support of my family behind me. But as time went on, I noticed that spark wasn’t there. The passion that usually drives me forward wasn’t showing up, and I started to feel like I was pushing myself toward something that didn’t feel authentic anymore.

At first, I felt horrible. Here I was, facing the reality that this well-laid plan, one I had dedicated the last year of my life to, just wasn’t fulfilling. I felt I’d wasted so much time. And I felt embarrassed, as if I couldn’t hold myself accountable to the commitment I’d made. But as difficult as it was to let go, something changed when I made the decision to step away and focus instead on my speaking career – an area that genuinely fuels my passion.

When I shifted my focus back to what truly lights me up, doors opened in ways I couldn’t have planned for. Opportunities started to come my way, and I noticed how much better I felt, how aligned I felt with my purpose. And my family? They understood. They supported my choice to let go of something that no longer felt right because they could see the difference in me when I was following my passion.

The experience taught me an invaluable lesson: we are allowed to change direction. We are allowed to pivot, to let go of what no longer serves us, and to embrace the paths that feel true to who we are. In business, pivoting isn’t a failure; it’s growth. The most successful journeys are rarely straight lines – they’re filled with unexpected turns and re-routes, and each one brings us closer to what truly matters.

If you’re facing a similar crossroads, I want you to know it’s okay. It’s okay to feel that initial guilt, to wonder if you’ve wasted time or resources. But remember that every experience has value, even if it leads to a pivot. Give yourself the grace to change course, to lean into your faith, and to trust that the right path will become clear when you align with what brings you joy.

Faith isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about trusting that the answers will come. When we let go of the rigid plans that no longer fuel us, we make room for possibilities we may never have imagined.
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So, to anyone who feels stuck or conflicted about letting go of a plan that’s no longer working, I encourage you to lean into your faith, find grace for yourself, and embrace the pivot. Sometimes, the path to fulfillment isn’t the one we initially planned – it’s the one that finds us when we’re brave enough to let go.