What happens when your shield becomes your cage?
You’ve been trained to be confident, decisive, unshakable—the person your team can count on no matter what. But over time, that strength can turn into a shield. You start to hide the doubts, the missteps, the human moments that once made you real.
And that shield? It keeps people out.
In this week’s featured podcast, Fi$h Factor host Mike Ungaro sits down with Ron Macklin to explore how leadership truly begins with vulnerability—why showing your humanity creates trust, and how laying down your shield can transform the culture around you.
The Hidden Cost of the Shield
Leaders often believe showing vulnerability means losing respect. But in reality, when you share the truth of your experience—“I don’t know yet,” “I made a mistake,” or “I’m nervous about this next step”—you invite trust.
Your team doesn’t need a perfect leader. They need a human one.
Ask yourself:
- When was the last time I told my team, “I don’t have all the answers”—and meant it?
- How do I respond when someone admits they messed up?
- Would my team follow me if I lost the title, or do they only follow the position?
The Leadership Shift
Vulnerability isn’t a performance or a confession—it’s a choice to lead with truth instead of protection.
Ron shares how leadership deepens the moment we stop hiding behind our shields. When we reveal our humanity, we give others permission to do the same. It’s in that shared openness that teams move from compliance to commitment—from silence to collaboration.
The leaders who thrive long-term aren’t the ones who hold their shields the highest. They’re the ones who lower them first—who show that courage and openness can exist in the same breath.
Want to hear the full conversation?👉 Watch Why Leadership Starts with Vulnerability on Fi$h Factor with Mike Ungaro. Hear Ron Macklin share why lowering your shield isn’t weakness—it’s the foundation of trust and authentic leadership.
Join us for our Winnings & Learnings call this Friday at 4 PM CST. It’s a space where leaders lay down their shields, share the real stories behind the numbers, and connect through growth—not perfection.
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