From "Show of Force" to "Show of Vulnerability"
How Strategic Vulnerability Drives Better Outcomes in Military Peacekeeping and Business
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What can a NATO peacekeeping commander teach today's business leaders about building trust? Former UN peacekeeper and bestselling author Dr. Urs Koenig reveals why the strongest leadership move is often the most unexpected one: taking off the helmet.
When executive coach, keynote speaker, and former NATO peacekeeping commander Urs Koenig deployed to Kosovo and Lebanon, he discovered something counterintuitive: in complex, fast-moving environments, a deliberate show of vulnerability built trust more effectively than a show of force. The same principle, he argues, holds true in the boardroom.
From "Show of Force" to "Show of Vulnerability" takes readers through field studies from Rwanda, Kosovo, and Lebanon, alongside business case studies of Satya Nadella, Jacinda Ardern, and Brad Smith, to answer these key questions:
When does vulnerability build trust, and when does it backfire?
How do I balance strength with openness without appearing weak?
What does "appropriate" vulnerability actually look like in a crisis?
How can I create psychological safety on my team before disaster strikes?
What are the practical, no-nonsense steps to lead with vulnerability today?
How do I avoid the trap of oversharing or sharing for sharing's sake?
What does a 4-step checklist for strategic vulnerability include?
Packed with real-world field examples, side-by-side comparison frameworks, a vulnerability audit, 12 ready-to-use conversation prompts, and a practical 4-step checklist, this white paper is an essential guide for any leader navigating complex, high-stakes environments.
About The White Paper
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Meet the Author
Urs Koenig is a former United Nations military peacekeeper and NATO military peacekeeping commander, a highly accomplished ultraendurance champion, a widely published professor, and a seasoned executive coach and keynote speaker with more than three decades of experience helping hundreds of leaders and dozens of executive teams across four continents unlock new levels of achievement.
He is also the bestselling author of Radical Humility and the founder of the Radical Humility Leadership Institute and speaks frequently on the topic of leadership to corporations and associations across the globe. His message of Radical Humility in leadership has inspired teams from across the spectrum, including Amazon, Starbucks, Hewlett Packard, the Society of Human Resource Management, the University of Melbourne, and Microsoft.
He holds a PhD in geography and a Master of Science from the University of Zürich, Switzerland, and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management. He lives with his two sons in Seattle, Washington.
