Why Be Vulnerable?

At zanie, we like to eat our own dog food. In essence, that translates to a team that not only puts our hearts into a product that's all about reciprocal sharing and compassion, but also makes an effort every day to be open and vulnerable with each other about how are lives are going. We work, and we also update each other on health, family, and other issues that come up in daily life. We have meetings, and we also begin each meeting by checking in on the wellbeing of everyone on the team. Vulnerability--which used to be a dirty word in work settings--is seeing a flourishing renaissance now. But it's not just fluff, or frivolous. This New York Times article delves into the psychology behind vulnerability, and why it is a strength for individuals, teams, and entire communities.

"It’s been ten years since Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston’s Graduate School of Social Work, helped bring the word vulnerability into many mainstream conversations. She got there by studying shame. After looking at hundreds of interviews and focus groups, she came to the conclusion that those with a strong sense of belonging to a greater community (including friends and family) all had one thing in common: they made choices to be vulnerable."

Check out the article here.