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In this fast-paced world of tech, staying ahead requires bold decisions. But what happens when the path forward is unclear, and your team resists the very changes that could secure your future?

This was the challenge facing Alex (name changed), a CEO I had the privilege of coaching during a critical inflection point in her company’s journey.

The mid-sized tech firm had built success around CRM software for small businesses. But the market had shifted. AI-driven, cloud-based solutions were now the norm, and her company risked becoming irrelevant.

The data was sobering:

• Revenue had plateaued.
• Top talent was being lured away.
• Longstanding customers were outgrowing their solutions.

Sarah knew a strategic pivot was necessary – but the uncertainty ahead, combined with internal resistance, made that incredibly hard to lead.

She’d always prided herself on projecting confidence. “Leaders don’t show doubt,” she once said. But in our coaching, it became clear: that stoic facade was blocking the innovation and connection her company needed to thrive.

The turning point? Vulnerability.

She requested an all-hands, where she made an uncharacteristic move. She acknowledged the company’s challenges. She admitted she didn’t have all the answers. And crucially – she invited her teams to help co-create the path forward.

What happened next was transformative:

1. Hidden insights surfaced – People who had stayed silent stepped forward with bold, strategic ideas.
2. Innovation accelerated – The team developed a sharper roadmap, tackling both AI integration and the human dynamics of change.
3. Resistance became buy-in – Because they were part of the process, the team began to champion the pivot.
4. Her credibility soared – Far from weakening her position, her honesty deepened trust.

Alex learned something every leader eventually faces:

You don’t need to have all the answers. You need to create the conditions where your people can help you find them.

Reflections for Leaders in Transition:

Vulnerability is not weakness – it can be a catalyst for innovation.

Your team holds untapped wisdom – ask, listen, involve.

Psychological safety fuels momentum in uncertain times.

Sometimes, the most powerful leadership phrase is: “I don’t know. Let’s figure it out together.”

We often associate leadership with certainty and control. But in today’s rapidly changing world, the real differentiator is our capacity to lead through uncertainty—with others, not in spite of them.

Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s a gateway to trust, innovation, and deeper connection.

So, where have you seen vulnerability spark transformation in your team or organisation? And where might greater transparency – even when it feels uncomfortable – create more space for growth?

About Obi James:

Obi James is an award-winning Nigerian-Finnish leadership expert and author of the #1 Amazon bestseller, Let Go Leadership: How Inclusive Leaders Share Power to Drive High Performance. She has over two decades of global experience in leadership development and organisational transformation, beginning her career in Financial Services HR and departing as a Vice President before founding Obi James Consultancy in 2010. Her proven track record spans developingadvising Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 leaders to create inclusive, high-performing cultures worldwide.