Speaking Your Truth
The Power of Speaking Your Truth: How Vulnerability Can Drive Your Success
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness. Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity.” Brene Brown
At Bent Not Broke, we believe that navigating life’s twists and turns—whether they’re financial challenges, career-related decisions, or personal growth—requires more than just resilience; it requires authenticity and vulnerability. Just like straightening your financial path, personal development and professional growth often come when we’re willing to show up as our true selves, even in the face of uncertainty.
Why Authenticity and Vulnerability Matter
Our journey, both financially and in our careers, is rarely a straight line. There are bumps, setbacks, and unexpected detours. But just like with your financial health, embracing the imperfections and speaking your truth can help straighten your path. Vulnerability is not about being weak; it’s about being real. When we admit that we don’t have all the answers, that we’ve made mistakes, or that we’ve faced challenges, we give ourselves permission to grow and connect on a deeper level with those around us.
Throughout my career as an entrepreneur and as a mother raising three children on my own for many years, I’ve discovered that the most powerful moments came from embracing my vulnerabilities. Sharing the real challenges of my journey—especially the financial ones—allowed me to relate to others, inspire them, and open doors that might have stayed closed if I’d only presented the polished version of my story.
The Power of Speaking Your Truth
Speaking your truth is about more than just being honest with others—it’s about aligning your actions with your values. At Bent Not Broke, we help people reshape their finances by starting with the fundamentals: financial literacy, reflection, and a clear vision of where they want to go. This same principle applies to your career development and personal growth. When you’re vulnerable and authentic, you’re able to assess where you are and make the necessary adjustments to move forward.
For many of us, particularly in business, we’re taught to hide our struggles. But in reality, vulnerability is a tool that not only helps you grow but also inspires others. Whether it’s admitting you’ve made a mistake or being open about the struggles in your financial or career journey, speaking your truth invites others to do the same—and it’s through these honest conversations that real success is built.
How Vulnerability Can Lead to Business Success
In both finances and career, vulnerability can be the key to unlocking new opportunities. Here’s how embracing vulnerability can help straighten your path and drive business success:
1. Builds Trust and Connection
Just as clients at Bent Not Broke trust us to guide them through their financial challenges, being vulnerable in your personal and professional life builds trust. When you’re open about your experiences—especially the tough ones—people see you as real and relatable. Whether it’s in business partnerships or client relationships, vulnerability fosters deeper connections and loyalty.
2. Creates Space for Growth
Financial success isn’t always about sticking rigidly to a plan—it’s about adapting, learning, and growing. The same is true in life and business. When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you open up to new ideas and perspectives. Admitting that you don’t have all the answers creates space for innovation, creativity, and growth, both personally and professionally.
3. Inspires Others
At Bent Not Broke, we help people reshape their financial futures by showing them that even if their path has been bent, they’re not broken. Similarly, sharing your own story of vulnerability—whether it’s overcoming a financial struggle, a career setback, or a personal challenge—can inspire others to believe that they, too, can overcome their own obstacles. Vulnerability has the power to turn adversity into opportunity.
4. Builds a Stronger Foundation for Success
Much like getting your finances in order sets a foundation for future growth, embracing vulnerability creates a stronger foundation for long-term success in your career or business. When you’re honest with yourself and others, you make better decisions, build more authentic relationships, and create a business that’s rooted in trust and integrity.
How to Embrace Vulnerability and Authenticity in Your Career and Business
Just as we help people at Bent Not Broke navigate their financial journeys, embracing vulnerability can help you navigate your career and business path. Here’s how you can start speaking your truth:
Acknowledge Your Fears: Whether it’s financial insecurity or career uncertainty, acknowledge the fears holding you back. Recognising them is the first step in moving forward with authenticity and strength.
Share Your Journey: Be open about your struggles—whether they’re financial or career-related. Sharing how you overcame challenges, such as managing debt or facing career roadblocks, will not only resonate with others but also reinforce your resilience.
Lead by Example: Just as we encourage transparency with our clients, show up authentically in your work life. Being real in your interactions—whether with clients, colleagues, or business partners—sets the tone for deeper trust and stronger professional relationships.
Set Boundaries: Vulnerability doesn’t mean oversharing. Know what’s appropriate in different settings, and decide what parts of your story will help you connect with others in a meaningful way.
The Courage to Be Real
At Bent Not Broke, we believe that real success comes when you’re willing to speak your truth—whether it’s about your finances, career, or personal life. By embracing vulnerability, you’re not only straightening the path ahead of you, but you’re also empowering others to do the same.
So, as you navigate your career or business journey, remember: it’s okay for your path to be bent sometimes—you can straighten your path. Speak your truth, embrace your vulnerability, and watch as both your personal and professional growth take off.
