How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally

Being vulnerable and authentic are some of today’s popular buzzwords. It may seem counterintuitive to be vulnerable, as many of us have been taught to project an air of confidence, be a boss, and act like we know everything. In Brene Brown’s words, “vulnerability takes courage.” So is vulnerability a strength or a weakness? Can someone be authentic without being vulnerable? How can being authentic and vulnerable help someone grow both personally and professionally? In this interview series, we are talking to individuals who can share stories and examples of “How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally.” As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Elle Simone Scott.

Elle Scott Simone is the first African American woman to appear as a regular host on PBS’s America’s Test Kitchen and is now a main cast member on ATK and judge on America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation. She is also the author of best-selling book Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings, released in 2022, where she shares tips for creating photo-worthy spreads for hosting, letting you in on trade secrets ranging from plating techniques to how to keep things looking fresh at parties and gatherings.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

I grew up in an Black, affluent neighborhood in Detroit, MI. I had a very beautiful childhood; my neighborhood was my safe haven and my neighbors were like family. Growing up, I had tons of autonomy and was fully entrenched in the arts and culture of the city. I was, and still am, an avid reader, so I spent lots of time at various libraries and have visited the Detroit Institute of Art more times than I can mention. I’m from a large family that cherished all holidays and would create any reason to spend time together. I come from a family of excellent cooks so my childhood nostalgia is often based around scents and smells from my family’s kitchens.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off & try again.” — Aaliyah Houghton, Singer

Is there a particular book, podcast, or film that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

I love The ReidOut podcast! I listen for so many reasons. Joy Reid is a brilliant political analyst who is not only a trusted voice generally, but the way in which she brings conversations towards a “bigger picture“ perspective is outstanding while also serving as a voice for the underserved & disenfranchised.

Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Let’s begin with a definition of terms so that each of us and our readers are on the same page. What exactly does being authentic mean?

Being authentic means showing up as my full self, good/ bad or indifferent, even when it’s uncomfortable and unpopular.

What does being vulnerable mean? Can you explain?

Being vulnerable literally means to be open to attack or damage. This is easiest understood when we let our guard down so that others can get to know us in more intimate ways. Opening up often means that we leave room for disappointment and heartbreak just as much as you could receive love and feel safe.

What are the positive aspects of being authentic and vulnerable? Can you give a story or example to explain what you mean?

Being vulnerable and authentic creates opportunities for new life experiences and those experiences tend to shape us in unimaginable ways. Being “open” is how you learn your personal taste and style in life and also how you begin to grow your skills around discernment. When I began my career in culinary arts, there were many things that I didn’t yet know how to do and in order to get jobs, you have to be transparent and vulnerable about your capabilities. I got more great opportunities because of my openness and willingness to learn. This allowed me to be able to decide which genre of this field of work is for me.

Are there negative aspects to authenticity and vulnerability? Can you give a story or example to explain what you mean?

I would have to say no, but I think in my practice of it I have found the value in it. Sure, there have been times where I may have been taken advantage of for being “too kind” or “too open,” but even those times taught me how to protect myself and be more observant.

From your experience or perspective, what are some of the common barriers that hold someone back from being authentic and vulnerable?

Lack of self-esteem and/or self awareness are often reasons or barriers that hold people back from reaching their authenticity and vulnerability. They may need to feel certain of acceptance at all times or may not be sure of where they stand with many life’s issues and happenings. So instead of being uncomfortable and uncertain they’d rather not take the risk of exposing themselves in a genuine way.

What are five ways that being authentic and vulnerable pay off, and help you win, both personally and professionally?

1. I get to be bold and honest about my thoughts and feelings and not live with “what ifs”.
2. I get to learn more about myself and the ways in which my moral compass informs my life decisions.
3. I get to make authentic relationships between myself and others because I can eliminate most of the guesswork.
4. I get to make informed decisions based on how authentic or inauthentic I feel a situation is for me because I trust my instincts.
5. I rarely have to explain myself to others because they often know exactly where I stand on most issues.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

When I lived in New York, I used to frequent the Union Square Farmers Market, weekly, and there’d be a person there holding a sign offering “Free Hugs”. As a hugger, I always thought how brilliant this random act of kindness was. So, If I were to inspire a movement, it would be the Hug Movement. I think of hugs as an emotional act of liberation. It can signal affection, forgiveness, comfort from grief, and joy. I think if the world would be willing to engage and connect more, through hugs, we experience more peace.

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

As a media professional and former culinary producer, I would love to have lunch with Ava DuVernay. It’s been my dream to direct a docu series centering indigenous women and foodways however, I’ve been met with resistance and rejections. Ava has done so much amazing work in spite of the challenges AND I just want to be her friend in real life.

How can our readers follow you online?

https://www.instagram.com/elle_simone_scott/

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!

This article was originally published on Authority Magazine. 

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