David Zinger, CEOs and Vulnerability
In his Zing-Review of March 3, employee engagement expert David Zinger cited research by the health care research firm Beryl on improving patient experiences in hospitals. The whole article is rich with references and research, though the title is a bit intimidating. David pulls from the final paragraph:
[The CEOs’] vulnerability is the first step in employee engagement. To decide on a “mission, vision and values” that truly reflects the [organizations’s] character, the CEO must sit down with staff from all levels to discuss improvements in culture. (from Becker’s Hospital Review, Feb 25, 2011)
Vulnerability and Intimacy
Vulnerability – openness, softness, exposure – is one of three key pieces of Intimacy as we define it. The first two, discretion and empathy, refer back to the other person in the relationship, how we treat them, but vulnerability sits squarely with us, how we treat ourselves.
Why is it so Hard?
Why is vulnerability, which conveys softness and openness, so darn hard in fact to put into practice?
Well, it starts with saying: “I don’t have all the answers.” Now, that’s terrifying! How will people respect me or my position?
And goes on to: “But I’m sure you have some ideas.” What if I don’t want to hear the things they have to say? What if they criticize me?
And concludes with: “Let’s put our heads together.” Yikes, and collaborate?
Like so many things in life, simple, but not easy.