Personal vulnerability - leadership, innovation and talent: Myric Polhemus at TEDxSanAntonio 2013

Earlier this year I fulfilled a lifelong dream; I played live music for the first time. While incredibly overwhelming it was pure joy. It wouldn't have been possible had I not allowed myself to be open to the possibility of failure and embarrassment. I was vulnerable. AsI reflected on this feeling of vulnerability and my surprising comfort with it I wondered where else it played a role in my life. That's when it dawned on me — my experience as a corporate leader was littered with situations where being vulnerable was pivotal to my success. I've had the opportunity to lead dozens of teams varying in size and function. Invariably there are team members who become the voice of dissent. They challenge the team's direction, corporate vision even my leadership. I call them the "engaged malcontents". As opposed to shunning their ideas I find myself engaging them fully and embracing them. I make myself accessible to their points of view because I'm willing to be open and ultimately personally vulnerable to their criticism. I have found when I take this approach the environment for rapid innovation and the growth of these "productive malcontents" is unparalleled. It's my belief vulnerable leadership is the difference.

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