Written by: Hermann du Plessis
Article source: Supplied

“It is the leader’s job to be vulnerable first.”
 — Lead With Intent, p. 52

For years, leaders have been trained to “show no weakness,” to exude certainty, and to be the one in the room with the answers. But this leadership style is rapidly becoming outdated—because it doesn’t build trust, it builds walls.

Real trust isn’t earned by power or performance. It’s built through humility and vulnerability—when leaders stop pretending to be bulletproof and start leading as human beings.

THE MYTH OF INVINCIBILITY

In the corporate world, vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness. Yet research—and Scripture—tell us otherwise.

When leaders are willing to say “I made a mistake,” “I don’t know,” or “I need help,” they create a powerful ripple effect: their teams feel safe to do the same.

This is the heartbeat of rehumanised leadership. And no principle in Lead With Intent embodies this more than the triad of humility, vulnerability, and trust.

CASE STUDY: PAUL’S DREAM JOB… AND NIGHTMARE TEAM

Paul had just been promoted to his dream job: Financial Director. But the team he inherited was dysfunctional, demoralised, and deeply divided.

His predecessor ruled with fear and control. He’d pit team members against one another, dismiss ideas in public, and use informants to spy on their peers. The environment was toxic. Staff turnover was high. Those who stayed were emotionally disengaged.

Paul’s challenge? Not only to perform—but to rebuild trust from the ashes of betrayal.

PAUL’S FIRST STEP: BREAKFAST AND TRUTH

We advised Paul to begin not with strategy, but with honesty. His first move? A simple breakfast meeting with his fellow financial managers—his former peers.

There, Paul did something courageous:
He confessed his past mistakes.
He voiced his fears about the new role.
He admitted that he couldn’t succeed unless they did, too.

This wasn’t weakness. This was strength in its most relational form.

“He told them what all his fears were in taking on the position and acknowledged that he could only succeed if they succeeded.”
 — Lead With Intent, p. 57

A CULTURE OF TRUST TAKES SHAPE

From that moment, Paul became a different kind of leader than his predecessor.

He created a leadership plan—but didn’t enforce it. He invited feedback. He asked each manager:

  • “What do you need from me?”
  • “Where can I support you better?”
  • “What needs to change so that you can thrive?”

They rebuilt his role together. It was no longer about control. It was about collaboration.

Soon after, Paul hosted a two-day strategy session for the wider finance team—something the old leader would never have done. Trust, slowly but steadily, was returning.

And Paul didn’t fake confidence. He admitted often that he wasn’t the most technically skilled. He asked for help from those who were better in certain areas.

“Paul constantly acknowledged the things he was unsure about and the areas where he needed help from certain managers who had better technical skills than he did.”
 — Lead With Intent, p. 58

VULNERABILITY + INTEGRITY = TRUST

Paul’s results speak for themselves:

  • Zero staff turnover since taking the role
  • A team culture grounded in openness, honesty, and gratitude
  • A team that believes in each other and in their leader

What changed wasn’t the business model. It was the leadership model.

And it began with the words: “I need your help.”

A KINGDOM PRINCIPLE: WE LEAD BEST WHEN WE ADMIT WE’RE HUMAN

As believers, we understand this. The Bible is filled with stories of leaders who wrestled with weakness—Moses, who feared speaking. Paul, who had a “thorn in the flesh.” Peter, who failed publicly.

Yet God didn’t discard them. He used their humility to demonstrate His power.

In the same way, when we choose to lead with vulnerability, we invite God’s strength to work through our honesty.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
 — 2 Corinthians 12:9

PRACTICAL PHRASES THAT BUILD TRUST

In Lead With Intent, we train leaders to use simple, powerful statements that open doors instead of closing them:

  • “I’m sorry.”
  • “I was wrong.”
  • “I don’t know.”
  • “Can you help me?”

They may seem obvious, but few leaders use them. And yet these phrases humanise leadership. They model humility. They invite connection. They restore safety.

“These phrases help leaders stay in touch with their humanity and show the people they lead that they are normal and struggle with the same things.”
 — Lead With Intent, p. 53

FIGHTING SHAME, BUILDING SAFETY

But vulnerability can’t thrive in toxic cultures. That’s why we also teach leaders to confront shame.

Shaming happens when mistakes are used as weapons—when someone’s failure is made public for mockery or punishment.

This destroys safety. That’s why Paul took quick action when team members began gossiping. But he didn’t shame the gossips. He corrected them with care, showing that shame wouldn’t be part of their future.

“He helped them see that it did not help the team.”
 — Lead With Intent, p. 58

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRONG

We’ve all worked under leaders who never admit they’re wrong. They project power, but inside they’re isolated and anxious. Their teams mirror that fear.

But the strongest leaders I’ve known are those who live with open hearts. They know who they are. They acknowledge where they’re growing. And they make it safe for others to do the same.

That’s servant leadership. That’s intentional leadership. That’s Jesus-style leadership.

CLOSING THOUGHT

If you’re a leader—at work, at church, in your home—you don’t have to pretend anymore. People don’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be present. Real. Honest.

Start with vulnerability. It might be the bravest thing you ever do.

And you may just find that when you lead with humility, you’ll gain more influence than you ever imagined.

“The biggest temptation of leadership is to think that we are better, and that we know better. This leads to an arrogance that could derail leaders.”
 — Lead With Intent, p. 51

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Date published: 07/07/2025
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.

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