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Women of Influence: 5 Valuable Lessons on Vulnerable Leadership by Lauren Ambeau

Megan Coffey

As our communities prepare to send children back to school in a few short weeks, it welcomes the opportunity to shine a light on a woman who has dedicated her career to serving children, their classroom leaders, and the communities that support them.

Meet Lauren Ambeau, Deputy Superintendent for Friendswood ISD, a top-rated public school district in South Houston, and author of the leadership blog, Vulnerable Influence.

Lauren Ambeau’s influence could easily be defined by perseverance. She has faced unexpected and overwhelming obstacles in every leadership role she’s embraced. In 2017, as the Principal of Brookside Elementary School in Friendswood, Texas, she navigated her school and community through a devastating Category 4 hurricane — where her school was the hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey.

In 2020, her first year as the Assistant Superintendent of elementary teaching and learning at Friendswood ISD, Lauren, like all administrators across the globe, was faced with re-envisioning how an undeniably antiquated education system could reopen within weeks and effectively serve a now virtual society.

While there is no question that Lauren’s influence was felt, seen, and applauded during these times of adversity, what many may not know, is her true calling, and her most significant achievements are found in her everyday commitment to being a vulnerable leader and influencing others to do the same.

5 Valuable Lessons in Vulnerable Leadership by Lauren Ambeau

  1. You cannot lead people if you NEED people.

    The loneliness of leadership can mean getting honest about relationships and their purpose in your life. Vulnerable leaders avoid falling prey to the pressures of seeking acceptance and value by preserving dysfunctional relationships that are misaligned and confusing to those ready to rally the change alongside us.

  2. You prioritize challenging, critical conversations

    with the people you love and serve. Leadership requires “reorganizing relationships” from congenial to functional and honest. 

  3. You guard time for immense reflection and growth.

    Self-doubt, personal and public ridicule, and a struggle for balance are present in vulnerable leaders. How a leader responds to it is where courage and tenacity are truly tested. Vulnerable leaders know “working through” is an essential part of their ability to stay aligned with their morals and values. They own areas where improvements can be made and let go of the unresolved emotions of others they cannot control. 

  4. You make decisions in the open.

    Vulnerable leaders make hard decisions in the company and collaboration with others. They use their organization's beliefs and mission as their North Star. Even though the decisions may challenge their thinking, make them uncomfortable, and a little fearful, they recognize this is how organizations grow.

  5. You don’t confuse a title with a cape.

    Often time leaders begin to over-identify with their role and their positions. Their need to be seen supersedes their desire to serve. Innovation and inspiration unravel in their struggle for power and glory. Vulnerable leaders are courageous enough to stand up alongside the team they have gathered to say what they believe in and admit that they may not know how to get there. They are committed to progressing together and creating the desired change.

Read more on Vulnerable Leadership on Lauren’s blog, Vulnerable Influence.

Coffey Brand Development is honored to feature Lauren Ambeau as the first female in its Women of Influence series. Founder Megan Coffey and Lauren Ambeau’s relationship runs deep. Born a minute apart, twins Megan & Lauren have excelled individually by leveraging each other's complementary talents, never competing but instead supporting and lifting each other through their collective strengths. Vulnerable leadership is a quality they value and enjoy sharing with those they are privileged to serve.

About Lauren Ambeau. Lauren frequently presents to educators, leaders, teens, and young adults on organizational transformation, workplace culture, learner-centered instruction, strategic planning, character, and teen leadership.