Vulnerability in leadership

Leading cross-functional teams requires a unique approach to vulnerability that acknowledges diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives. When leaders model vulnerability across functional boundaries, they create bridges between different departments, expertise levels, and working styles.

Here's how vulnerability manifests in cross-functional settings:

• Openly admitting knowledge gaps about other functions' domains
• Actively seeking feedback from different functional experts
• Sharing challenges about managing across specialties
• Acknowledging the complexity of balancing different departmental priorities
• Being transparent about cross-functional decision-making processes

Teams see that it's okay to ask questions outside their expertise, share function-specific concerns, and admit when they need help understanding other departments' perspectives.