Hannah Nelson Of Helen + Gertrude On How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally

Seek peace. There is so much peace when you are in tune with your values, emotions, and needs. Addressing our individual needs is hard if we suppress who we are and what our priorities are. The older I get, the more joy I find in just existing.

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 business leaders, mental health professionals and business and life coaches 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 Hannah Nelson.

Hannah is the Marketing Manager at a women-owned, award-winning digital marketing agency, Helen + Gertrude. She leads the charge on all internal marketing efforts at H+G; managing projects to ensure they run efficiently and are pushed out the door. Outside of work, she spends her time hangin’ with her dogs and planning her next travel adventure.

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?

Thanks for the opportunity! I’m the youngest of 7 kids, so my childhood was pretty action-packed. I always had my siblings around, showing me the ropes (including good music — any Guster fans out there?) I spent a lot of time outside, with much of my free time alongside my childhood dog, or making up fun games with our neighbors. I’m on the cusp of Gen Z and Millennial, meaning I didn’t have a cell phone as a kid, but became a teenager right after Facebook popped off. I’ll just say my “memories” on the platform from 15 years ago are humbling, remember “Truth is?” *face palm*

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

“If you can’t beat the fear, do it scared.” This quote from Glennon Doyle is one that I’ve been able to apply across many sectors of my life. Most know I’m a fairly anxious person. From flying, to public speaking, to the wind hitting my window in a storm … I find fear in a lot of experiences. I realized a long time ago that I couldn’t let fear control my life. If I chose to let fear win, I wouldn’t step out of my comfort zone. We’ve all heard that “growth occurs outside of our comfort zone” — and I completely agree. Many of my favorite memories are situations I just had to acknowledge my fears, accept they exist, and do the damn thing anyway.

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 read a lot of nonfiction, including biographies, memoirs, and psych-based books. I read “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk a few years back. It dives into how our past experiences affect our mind and body. I’ve always been interested in human development and a better understanding of what impacts personality and who we become. This book is heavy but very informative and well-written.

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?

Authenticity is when your actions align with your true intentions. You know your values and don’t make decisions based on other’s opinions of you.

What does being vulnerable mean? Can you explain?

Vulnerability is the strength it takes to maintain your authenticity, even when challenges arise. Being vulnerable means letting down your walls and knowing your protection comes from your true self; instead of masking or performing.

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

Some of my strongest moments have been my most vulnerable. There was a situation in which I reached out for help, stripping away all fears of judgment or any ego I had. I knew the longer I took to address the problem, the harder it would be to tackle. I was met with understanding and support, and felt truly seen because I was 100% authentic. We are all human, and vulnerability allows us to deeper understand the needs of ourselves and others.

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

I think when the environment doesn’t promote authenticity and vulnerability, there can be a negative effect on someone who chooses to show such openness, leaving them uncomfortable or potentially hurt.

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

People need to feel safe in their environment to be truly vulnerable and authentic. If someone feels judged, or misunderstood, it is definitely more difficult to be authentic and vulnerable.

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

Being authentic and vulnerable allows you to…

1. Form deeper connections. How are we supposed to know who we are without authenticity? We learn everything that makes us unique — our likes, dislikes, passions, hobbies, etc.- from being our true selves. We often see similarities between ourselves and those around us and bond over experiences or interests that relate to us. We better understand each other when we look beyond the surface and show our authentic selves.
2. Gain confidence. Imposter syndrome is so real and I notice I definitely need some affirmation and reassurance at times. However, at the end of the day, I know I am living authentically, and no one can take that from me. I did the best I could and showed up as I am. I know how I want to show up in this world, and have found confidence in my ability to be that person for myself and those surrounding me.
3. Trust yourself and others. When I am acting in alignment with my values and being authentic, I trust that those around me are as well. For example, I never speak negatively about people behind their backs and trust they are not speaking behind my back either. Authenticity and toxicity cannot coexist, and vulnerability allows for an environment of openness. I have no reason not to believe in the goodness of those around me and trust that they are being authentic.
4. Receive + provide support. There have been times in my life when I needed some extra support. I would not be where I am today without being vulnerable and honest with myself and the people around me. Luckily, I work in an environment where I am able to reach out for help before I feel like I am drowning. This is HUGE for mental health and being able to set people up for success.
5. Seek peace. There is so much peace when you are in tune with your values, emotions, and needs. Addressing our individual needs is hard if we suppress who we are and what our priorities are. The older I get, the more joy I find in just existing.

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?

I am a strong believer in the power of community. I have supported and donated to To Write Love on Her Arms for 10+ years, and their slogan, “You are not alone,” is true regardless of what you are facing. Authenticity and vulnerability bring forth communities — full of people with similar lived experiences, some who need support and those who are on the other side to offer hope.

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!

I’d love to grab lunch with Jamie Lee Curtis. That woman is so BA and inspirational. From horror to comedy, she is so talented across many genres. Aside from her professional achievements, she speaks openly about her path on her recovery journey, marking 25 years sober this year.

How can our readers follow you online?

Instagram — Hannahnelson710

Linked in — Hannah Nelson

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