The Worst Year of My Life - How it Changed Me as a Leader

In 2013, I went through one of the most challenging years of my life—I got divorced and lost my mom to a two-year battle with breast cancer, all within seven months. As a single mom with two young kids, my world turned upside down. Trauma and grief transform us in ways we often can’t fully comprehend until years later. These life-altering experiences shape us as individuals, parents, friends, and leaders.

Looking back, I see how these hardships reshaped my leadership style. I have always been a people-centric leader, deeply invested in supporting and developing my team. My leadership has always been described as authentic and down-to-earth, but these experiences deepened my ability to lead with vulnerability.

The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

We spend more time at work than anywhere else in our lives. While we may change jobs over the years, our workplaces often become the spaces where we engage the most with others. As I navigated personal trauma, I found that I could no longer show up as anything but my true self. I couldn’t compartmentalize my grief, nor could I pretend everything was fine. Instead, I chose to be honest with my team about my struggles. Rather than diminishing my credibility as a leader, this transparency fostered trust. My team saw me as human—flawed, resilient, and real. They offered support, and in turn, we became stronger together. This pivotal realization led me to embrace vulnerable leadership as a core part of my approach.

Authentic Leadership and Psychological Safety

As female leaders, we often feel pressure to separate our personal struggles from our professional roles, fearing vulnerability will be mistaken for weakness. However, research shows that authentic leadership builds psychological safety—a workplace culture where employees feel secure enough to share ideas, admit mistakes, and take risks without fear of judgment. Vulnerability doesn’t require sharing our deepest struggles. It can be as simple as admitting a mistake, seeking input on a challenging decision, or sharing a personal story of resilience. By showing up as our true selves, we empower our teams to do the same, fostering engagement, trust, and long-term success.

Why Female Leaders Thrive with Authentic Leadership

Women in leadership often face unique challenges, from imposter syndrome to unrealistic expectations of perfection. Embracing authenticity allows us to break free from these pressures. When we lead with honesty and emotional intelligence, we create spaces where our teams feel valued, empowered, and can enjoy freedom from the expectation of perfection. In healthcare leadership, this approach can even mean the difference between a clinician feeling safe enough to report an error or hiding it out of fear.

Building Resilient, Purpose-Driven Workplaces

Embracing vulnerability has become my leadership superpower. It has strengthened my relationships, built resilience within my teams, and fostered a culture of psychological safety. Leaders who cultivate authenticity create more engaged, innovative, and purpose-driven workplaces. As professional female leaders, we have the power to redefine leadership by showing up as our true selves. This week, I challenge you to embrace vulnerability in your leadership. Trust that your authenticity is your greatest strength—I believe in you.

~Stephanie