Concrete examples of this, which have become legendary stories in the business world, are Steve Jobs and his journey in developing Apple (surely you have read about this, right?) and Alan Mulally, who saved Ford Motor Company from a loss of US$ 12.7 billion to achieving profit.
During his time as the CEO of Ford (2006-2014), Alan Mulally promoted a tradition of openness in routine meetings with his management team, which allowed the directors and division heads to see the company’s business facts — including deficiencies, failures, and improvement plan — from different divisions.
Meetings were held without judgment, side talks, or interruptions — even from cellphones. The ‘One Ford’ spirit encouraged cross-functional collaboration and support. Mulally stated that leadership is more about the interests of the people, not of the leaders.
If every executive is open, including in admitting their limits on fields not within their expertise, the truth is that their coworkers would help. It is one of the benefits of the strength of vulnerability. Open up, admit flaws, be vulnerable, and receive support.
On the level of country governance, great leaders who are successful in uplifting their nations have usually gone through situations of vulnerability. They would humbly enter into uncertainty, a manageable one.
On May 25th, 1961, when US President John F. Kennedy declared the moon landing, he was actually in a very vulnerable situation.
The outer space technology of the United States was still behind that of the Uni Soviet, who had successfully sent cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to outer space on April 12th, 1961. The political settings of the United States were also in a critical position, due to the incident at the Bay of Pigs. A CIA-led paramilitary invasion on Cuba, which aimed to overthrow Fidel Castro, had recently failed.
Another example. When BungKarno, Commander Sudirman, Bung Tomo, and the rest of the Indonesian founding fathers moved against the invaders, they were in a very vulnerable condition. The physical fitness and health of Commander Sudirman were even far from ideal for leading a guerilla.
It turns out that precisely because of that vulnerable state, John F. Kennedy was able to receive support from NASA and other scientists from different fields to realize his vision of landing humankind on the moon.
Similarly, the founding fathers of Indonesia received tremendous support, even to the point where a lot of people were ready to sacrifice their lives for their country — despite the fact that the Country of Indonesia was still an intangible goal.
That is the power obtained by the leaders who dare enter the zone of endless possibilities and vulnerable conditions. That vulnerability shows their sincerity and magnificence as mere human beings, the same as their team members, only with different responsibilities.
They have a compelling vision, integrity, and bravery to act. Also, the courage to ask the stakeholders to do the tango, without fear of making mistakes, and thus prove themselves to be great leaders.