Why Vulnerability Is a Leader’s Superpower (And How to Leverage It)
If you’re always finding yourself running on empty juggling everything, this is an episode you DON’T want to miss.
In it, Laura sits down with Katrina Moriarty, COO of Aon Consumer Benefit Solutions and mental health advocate.
Together, they discuss what it actually takes to lead well in today’s workplace. They also talk about the leadership moment that changed everything for Katrina, and why it’s important for leaders everywhere to model vulnerability, openness, and calm in times of change to foster trust, psychological safety, and stronger team performance.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between performance and self-preservation, this is the episode for you, so tune in, and keep reading!
Be the Swan, NOT the Duck
Katrina’s most powerful leadership lesson didn’t come from a class or conference, it came from someone pulling her aside and saying: “You’re flapping around like a duckling when your team needs to see a swan.”
At the time, she was reacting to every problem, jumping into every issue, and trying to save the day. But that image stuck. She realized that leadership isn’t about fixing everything, it’s about showing calm in the storm so others can do their best work. Now, she leads massive teams not by micromanaging, but by mentoring and modeling steadiness under pressure.
Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk
Katrina doesn’t just talk about mental health, she also models it: she takes time off, she walks, she rests, she sets boundaries, and she expects her team to do the same.
In a world where leaders say “take care of yourself” but email on PTO, Katrina is refreshingly aligned. When her team runs too hard, she steps in and says: “Go home, unplug, we’ve got you.”
That kind of leadership sends a message louder than any wellness campaign.
Where Culture Happens
When companies go through change, most of the focus is on strategy and structure. But as Katrina says, “transition,” the messy, emotional, in-between space, is where culture either deepens or deteriorates.
Change without space for people to react, ask questions, and feel seen? That’s a recipe for resistance, and disaster. But when leaders move at the right pace, communicate openly, and support their teams emotionally, real transformation becomes possible.
Why Leadership Is Personal
Katrina used to believe that sharing personal challenges at work would hold her back. Now, she sees it as essential. When leaders share what they’re going through (appropriately and honestly) it creates a ripple of trust that opens doors for others to do the same.
She doesn’t perform vulnerability; she lives it. And it’s what makes her leadership style not just effective, but human.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about vision or execution, it’s about presence and about being steady when things get messy, honest when things get hard, and human all the way through.
We discuss all of this in more detail in this episode, so make sure to tune in if you want to catch the whole conversation!
