Vulnerability Is Courage in Others, Weakness in Ourselves
"We love seeing raw truth and openness in other people, but we are afraid to let them see it in us. Vulnerability is courage in you and inadequacy in me."— Brené Brown, Daring Greatly
Select a vulnerable scenario, then rate it from BOTH perspectives—as yourself and as an observer.
Confessing romantic feelings to someone you're not sure feels the same way.
Admitting you can't do something alone and asking a colleague for assistance.
Telling your boss you made a substantial error on an important project.
Improvising a song in front of a panel of judges who will evaluate you.
Revealing a physical insecurity or flaw to someone you want to impress.
When we think about our OWN vulnerability, we think concretely (low construal). When we think about OTHERS' vulnerability, we think abstractly (high construal).
Abstract thinking = more positive, risk-friendly perspective
The paradox: We judge our own vulnerability harshly while viewing identical vulnerability in others as admirable. The same act that feels like "weakness" when we do it looks like "courage" when someone else does it.
"Even when examples of showing vulnerability might sometimes feel more like weakness from the inside, our findings indicate that, to others, these acts might look more like courage from the outside."
— Bruk, Scholl, & Bless (2018)