What if I told you that a key precursor to success was not confidence or mastery, but rather vulnerability? We often hear about the importance of vulnerability from those with unquestionable credibility: a decorated athlete, an innovative CEO, a talented musician. They show us how vulnerability is the key to growth and meaningful connections.

But there's a paradox here: Vulnerability tends to come more naturally after success, but what if it came before it? In this article, we'll explore how the benefits of embracing vulnerability early in your career accelerate growth, foster relationship building, and ultimately create more meaningful opportunities.

Related: Why weakness can be a leader's greatest strength

Vulnerability as a byproduct of success

The traditional trajectory consists of successful leaders in their respective fields advertising their vulnerability and importance only after they have achieved success. It's as if weakness – and by extension, perceived weakness – is only allowed when a solid foundation of proven success has been confirmed. Only then does it seem safe enough to let our guard down and admit weakness or share stories of past failures. This phenomenon leads to a huge misconception that vulnerability is only reserved for those with data. This couldn't be further from the truth.

The trap of faking it until you make it

While trust is important in both business and life, the popular term “fake it till you make it” encourages people to hide what they don't know, causing them to project a false sense of competence. There is a hidden cost to doing so. This thinking can lead to burnout, bouts of impostor syndrome, and more importantly, missed learning opportunities – especially early in your career Act i feigned competence it only prevents people from asking smart questions, seeking mentorship and guidance, and building authentic connections. Early career professionals who feel pressure to appear knowledgeable will eventually struggle more with stress and job satisfaction.

Vulnerability happens before success – not just after it

Now imagine a culture where employees are encouraged to show vulnerability from day one. What are some of the benefits of this hypothetical change?

1. Accelerated learning: Effective managers and supervisors don't expect you to know everything on day one. Instead, they want to know if you can ask smart questions, gather critical evidence, and problem-solve using the resources available to you. Individuals who ask more questions and admit when they don't know something are more likely to learn faster and retain information longer.
2. Building relationships: Bringing your whole self to work is paramount. Projecting a facade of competence only prevents the formation of deeper relationships with supervisors and colleagues. Being honest about your strengths and weaknesses fosters deeper and more genuine connections with those you work with.
3. Growth opportunities: Leaders want to help individuals who have a strong and enduring desire to learn and improve. By staying open to feedback and constantly looking for ways to invest in yourself, more opportunities will be found for those willing to be vulnerable early in their careers. These opportunities consist of mentoring, new roles or sponsored training and development courses.

Looking back on my career, I wish I had displayed some of the weaknesses I have now when I was just starting out. It's easy to get bogged down in figuring it out on your own, and while being self-sufficient is important, I would have learned a lot more — a lot faster — if I'd been honest about my knowledge and skill gaps. . I needed a bridge early in my career.

Practical tips for embracing vulnerability early

Regardless of your current level of success, there are many ways to use vulnerability to your advantage.

1. Ask for help: Like asking questions, seeking help from peers and mentors positions you for sustained success in the long term. Contact people in your network, participate in informational interviews and ask for unfiltered advice.
2. Share your journey: Openly discuss what you are currently learning or, more specifically, struggling to invite conversations and opportunities for support.
3. Admit mistakes: When something goes wrong, don't ignore it. Use it as an opportunity to find out what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.
4. Ask for feedback: One of the best ways to learn and improve is by reflecting and determining where things may have gone wrong. WHEREAS FEEDBACK in what you're doing well feels good, focusing on the areas that need improvement is where real transformation happens. Show that you are open and willing to grow even if it means having an uncomfortable conversation.

Related: Why vulnerability is a strong business leader's most powerful weapon

Embarrassment and vulnerability drive lasting success

Imagine what could be achieved if vulnerability were not seen as a byproduct of success, but rather as the catalyst that drives it. Accelerating learning, deepening connections and creating new opportunities, vulnerability is an often overlooked strength. As former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty once said, “Growth and comfort do not coexist.”

Although being vulnerable—especially early in your career—can be intimidating and uncomfortable, it has the potential to yield lasting and meaningful returns. After all, true strength lies not in having all the answers, but in having the courage to admit what you don't know and the willingness to grow from there.