S03 Ep 05: Why Vulnerability Is the Missing Piece in Leadership Success

Your Permission to Pause

Do you ever find yourself thinking that showing vulnerability as a leader might make you look weak, or even unprofessional? You’re not alone. In this episode of Your Permission to Pause, Jo Cowlin explores the often-misunderstood power of vulnerability in leadership. She reframes the conversation, showing how authentic leadership doesn’t mean oversharing or losing boundaries, it means connecting as a whole, imperfect human.

Drawing on real-life stories from her work with executive teams, Jo reveals how a moment of genuine vulnerability from a CEO sparked trust, collaboration, and deeper engagement across the team. You’ll also hear practical guidance on questions leaders often wrestle with: How much vulnerability is appropriate? How can it strengthen psychological safety? And how can it boost team performance without compromising professionalism?

Make sure you listen for actionable insights, simple strategies, and a fresh perspective on leading with courage, authenticity, and humanity.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Introduction: vulnerability in leadership insights

05:32 The transformative power of authentic leadership

08:21 Encourage vulnerability to build trust and connection

14:06 Vulnerability in leadership: intent and growth

15:39 Embrace mistakes: they lead to growth

Meet your host Jo Cowlin

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym.

Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/

Connect with Jo:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

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