I’m a huge Brene Brown fan, but I agree with you entirely (I think she would also). When it’s forced, or gratuitous, or some kind of “hey look at me, my pain is more important than yours” ploy, it’s not actually a beneficial thing.

In fact, I’m reading her leadership book right now and I remember that there was an example she gave about a CEO who wanted to tell his team that he felt in way over his head and she counseled him not to because that would just freak everyone out and only served to unburden him which would therefore make him feel good, but not actually improve the situation. He needed to go be vulnerable with someone who could mentor him about the issues he was facing — not drag the rest of the company into his circle of fear and uncertainty.

For so long we’ve been taught (particularly in the US) to show no weakness or self-doubt. It’s part and parcel of succeeding in a dominance hierarchy, so I applaud a move in the other direction, but also look forward to a time when the pendulum comes back from the other extreme and finds the middle.