Happy New Year ~ Hope your 2023 is off to a smashing start! 🎉

I typically approach the new year with a sense of optimism mixed with a generous dose of self-reflection. This year’s been no exception.

In early January, along with 27 other creative professionals, I attended a marketing retreat led by my business coach Ilise Benun and fellow designer Nancy Ruzow. It was an inspiring, energizing 3-days in Savannah that I feel very fortunate to have been a part of.

My most powerful takeaway happened in the waning moments of the retreat. One by one, we stood to share our insights, learnings and favorite parts of the experience. People spoke from the heart, and the Kleenex box made its way around the room.

I’ve always been one to wear my heart on my sleeve, but I was hesitant to be THAT vulnerable with a group of people – many of whom I didn’t know that well.

My turn came… I stood up, took a deep breath and received just enough courage to say what was on my heart. 

• I shared my gratitude for the support and friendship of this tribe of creative professionals – both over these last few days and going back to the early days of Covid where we met virtually to attend Ilise’s groups, intensives and co-working sessions. 
• I shared how I’ve struggled with bouts of loneliness and isolation throughout my journey at the helm of km design. 
• I shared how this community’s presence in my life has been a soothing salve to help ease those fearful, gloomy days where I felt so incredibly alone and sometimes helpless. 

And here’s the crazy part… contrary to what you might think, sharing these shadow parts of myself made me feel stronger. Solid and rooted in my authentic self. Freed from others’ judgment of me for going deep. That’s where the treasure is!! That’s the truth of who I am and what matters to me.

And you know what else… people “got it”… They saw me, and equally importantly, they saw parts of themselves reflected through me. Several new friends came up afterwards and thanked me for sharing and said, “Me too!! I struggle with loneliness. I had no idea you did too! You always seem like you have it all together.” (HA! Think again. 😉)

I received such sincere offerings of support, connection and acknowledgement in response to being vulnerable. It really felt like I had tapped into a super power.

Voicing these bits of myself that disempower me provided the perfect remedy for their demise. Speaking of my loneliness provided connection and support which in turn, helped me feel authentic, strong and powerful. What a gift – one I will continue to live into day by day. Vulnerability is truly my super power.

If you’ve indulged me this far, and are still reading, thank you. I know topics of emotional intelligence (EQ) like vulnerability aren’t ones I normally talk about here. But EQ is something that’s deeply important to me, and I’m experimenting a bit in sharing this with you.

In terms of relevancy, I’m in the business of communications, and you are too either directly or indirectly. Where are you, your team, your cause or your brand missing the opportunity to leverage vulnerability – to be seen more fully, to be understood more completely, to show up in a way that’s completely unique and differentiating – to drive connections, relationships, community and ultimately, success – however you define it?

There are countless opportunities for betterment when you look through the lens of vulnerability. If this conversation has peaked your interest, shoot me a reply and share your thoughts. And if you’d like help in exploring a more authentic approach to your upcoming appeal, campaign or marketing communications, let’s talk. 

Thanks for reading!