The Power of Vulnerability: Why You Should Step Out of Hiding
Author, professor, and speaker Brené Brown once said, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.”
That quote sums up my entire journey.
On the outside, I come across as a confident speaker and author, or so I am told. But in truth? It’s built entirely on vulnerability.
Every time I publish an article, post on LinkedIn, or stand on a stage, I’m opening myself up to other people’s opinions and judgments. I’m saying: “Here’s what I believe — and I hope it resonates.” That is a daunting feeling.
Everything I publish here is geared to help digital marketers build stronger, smarter email programs. After more than 27 years in the email industry, writing two books, developing curricula for my Holistic Email Academy courses, and publishing countless guides, articles, and white papers, you might think it would come naturally by now.
But even today, after years of webinars, training sessions, and conference keynotes, I still feel that flicker of vulnerability when I hit “publish” or step on stage. Because being visible means exposing your ideas and yourself to the world.
What does this have to do with marketing best practices, automation, data, or strategy? Everything. Because embracing vulnerability can make you a better marketer, and a more confident leader.
Finding my truth
When I was little, I used to hide behind my sister when we walked into a room so I wouldn’t have to greet anyone. I was happiest when invisible. Even as an adult, my first networking events terrified me. My heart would race, my breath would shorten, and I could barely get my words out.
So, when I started writing and speaking publicly, I felt like my younger self, walking into a room full of strangers. This time, though, I didn’t have my sister to protect me.
Ironically, I’d once been comfortable performing on stage as a singer. But singing someone else’s words is easy compared to standing up and sharing your own. Speaking your truth means being completely exposed — there’s no script, no character, just you.
The turning point
I can remember the presentation that changed everything for me. I was sandwiched to speak between two phenomenal speakers (and good friends) Dela Quist & denise cox
Until that moment, I was consumed with nerves. I worried about how I looked, how I sounded, what people would think. I was completely inside my own head.
Then, that day, I realised something: All this isn’t about me. It’s about my content. My message. The value I’m sharing.
I stopped focusing on my fears and thought instead about delivering solid, helpful advice and making sure the audience left with something useful. In less than a moment, all my fear disappeared.
From that moment on, I’ve never had a flutter of nerves before going on stage.
Today, I genuinely love presenting. It’s fun. My passion for what I do comes through, and my audiences feel it. Passion is contagious. When you’re truly connected to your message, it becomes less about performing and more about sharing energy and knowledge.
Vulnerability Is strength
Entrepreneurship has a way of forcing you out of hiding. When you’ve always bootstrapped your businesses, the most cost-effective marketing strategy is to get out there and educate your audience yourself. That means showing up — again and again — even when you feel uncomfortable.
It’s tempting to believe that vulnerability is weakness. But it’s not. It’s courage in action.
Every time we show up, even when our voice quivers and our knees shake, we build strength, resilience, and connection.
It’s also how you persuade people to believe in your vision. That is my message to digital marketers who want to drive changes in their email programs but who need to persuade a boss, the email or executive team, and anyone else who stands in the way.
You are the CEO of your email programme, no matter your official title. If your company is like most others, you have to fight for every scrap of funding, whether it’s another team member, a better marketing automation platform – even just a share of your boss’s attention span.
Yes, you might not be used to advocating for yourself or your programme. Or you hate the thought of being put on the spot and speaking up. You’re at the point I was before I shifted my perspective. Now it’s time for you to change your perspective, too.
What helped me move past my vulnerability was my faith in my knowledge and my expertise, and my sincere desire to help my audience succeed. You can build a similar confidence when you not only have the facts at your command but also focus them on how your programme proposal or budget request will benefit your company.
That’s where true growth begins.
Stop hiding from your audience
Whether you want to gain attention and legitimacy for your own business or grow your email presence in your company, you need to give your audience a reason to believe in you. If that higher visibility terrifies you, start small. Each small act builds confidence.
To build your thought-leadership profile, you don’t have to begin on a conference stage or with a viral post. Write a single LinkedIn comment in a group where influential people are most likely to see it. Add your perspective to someone else’s post. Then maybe share a short post of your own — something you’ve learned, a short story, or a question.
To grow your email programme, begin by building a solid knowledge base that combines your experience and your email program with facts about your industry, trends, your customers, and the company’s needs.
As paediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock once counselled new parents, “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” That goes for email, too. You’re the expert in the room!
Request time with your chosen audience – host a lunch-and-learn, or request time on the next executive committee meeting agenda. Frame it with the benchmarks that matter most to your audience, especially if they are decision-makers. Don’t dwell on the potential outcome. Have faith in yourself and your material. That will come through as authentic and powerful.
Before you know it, you’ll have a voice that people recognise and trust. Not because you were fearless but because you were brave enough to start.
That’s what vulnerability really is: the bravery to show up even when you’re scared.
Courage starts with showing up
Today, my business practice demands that I film more videos. Each one, along with every course, blog post or column, is another exercise in vulnerability. But I remind myself that visibility isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection and courage.
So, here’s my encouragement to you: Be brave enough to be seen.
Your words might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.
And if you’re not sure where to start — start by learning.
Take courses, read, ask questions, join conversations. Every new skill you pick up builds confidence. Every time you put yourself out there, it gets a little easier.
Courage isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave act at a time.