Jim Johnson argues that empathy and real connection require vulnerability. He uses the example of a contractor leaving to start their own business: naming your fear that they'll outperform you makes you human, not weak.
If you wanted to just walk around and crack me in the ribs, that hurt. I have to be vulnerable, and I have to accept that. And the only way to be empathetic and walk with someone and expose your insecurities are be authentic. Be vulnerable, and know that, hey, yeah, I struggle with it. Guess what? We all do. It's okay. I have to. You know, if we're talking again about a contractor, you think about it. I have to struggle with if someone leaves my business, that they're going to go do it better than I. I got to struggle with it. I have to own that because I'm afraid that they go do better than I, then it's going to look bad on me. But it takes that vulnerability and that authenticity to embrace your insecurities and say, hey, excuse me. My insecurities are showing. Just. Just don't mind me. My insecurities are showing. I just. I'm sorry. It did. It's okay. And all of a sudden, that authenticity and vulnerability, people are like, hey, I like that. He's a real person. He's like a real human being.
