The Vulnerability Act : Who Are You Fooling?

Stop performing. Start showing up.

Here’s a trend you’ve probably noticed: Social Media has become a stage for “vulnerability.” Leaders and influencers share stories of struggles and failures, wrapped up with just the right amount of triumph and polish. But let’s be real: so much of this “authenticity” feels hollow, crafted for likes and applause rather than real connection. Vulnerability has become a tactic, not a truth.

These rehearsed stories follow a script—carefully balanced to make the storyteller seem relatable without ever risking true exposure. And people sense it. When vulnerability is just a box to check, it doesn’t resonate. It’s the equivalent of product placement in a movie: you see it, but it doesn’t make you feel anything.

Compare that with the rare, raw stories that break the mold. These are the posts where someone drops the polish and tells it like it is, unfiltered. They talk about ongoing struggles, unresolved questions, and the moments where they don’t know if they’ll succeed. Those stories don’t beg for applause; they offer connection and invite us in as equals.

If leaders want to build trust, they need to abandon the script and start getting real. Stop performing. Start showing up with something genuine, something still rough around the edges.

Are you sharing to connect, or just playing to the crowd?

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