Employees are handed invisible vases—rules of conformity, unspoken expectations, and cultural norms that dictate how they should behave, think, and lead. They are taught to blend in and avoid disrupting the status quo. But organizations don’t thrive when employees conform—they thrive when employees have the courage to challenge, innovate, and lead.
Breaking the vase in leadership means creating an environment where employees are empowered and feel safe to break their own vases—to reject conformity, embrace their uniqueness, and bring their full potential to the workplace.
The Weight of Workplace Conformity
Just as I once feared the consequences of shattering my vase, many employees feel the pressure to conform in their jobs. They fear standing out too much, questioning authority, or taking risks that might lead to failure. These fears hold them back from reaching their full potential, just as my fear of breaking the vase held me back from becoming who I was meant to be.
This workplace conformity takes many forms. Some employees stay silent in meetings even when they have great ideas. Others avoid risk-taking because they fear failure or criticism. Some suppress their true selves to fit into rigid corporate cultures. Many follow outdated processes simply because they have been told, “this is how we’ve always done it.”
Leaders who recognize these invisible vases have the power to help employees break free from them. A leader’s ability to create a culture where employees feel safe enough to challenge these limitations is what separates ordinary workplaces from innovative, thriving ones.
Breaking the Vase Means Embracing Authenticity
Shattering my vase was an act of reclaiming my identity. I stopped trying to be who I was expected to be and started embracing who I truly was. Leaders must encourage employees to do the same. A workplace that fosters authenticity over conformity is one where employees feel safe to share their ideas and challenge outdated systems. It is a place where diversity of thought is celebrated, not stifled. When employees know they are valued for who they are—not just for how well they fit into an existing structure—they become more engaged, creative, and committed to their work.
The most successful organizations do not silence individuality; they amplify it. Employees who are free to think independently, take bold actions, and challenge conventional wisdom are the ones who drive real change. When leaders create space for employees to shatter their vases, they unlock a level of confidence and creativity that transforms an organization.
How Leaders Can Help Employees Break Their Vases
Leaders must be the ones to break the first vase. Employees will not feel courageous enough to challenge conformity if their leaders are unwilling to do the same. When leaders lead with vulnerability, challenge old norms, and empower their teams, they set a precedent for a culture of boldness and authenticity.
To give employees the courage to break free from conformity, leaders must encourage diverse perspectives and make it clear that different opinions are welcome and necessary for growth. This helps shift the focus from perfection to progress. Creating psychological safety is key—employees need to know they will not be punished for questioning norms or suggesting new ideas. Most importantly, leaders must lead by example. Sharing personal stories of transformation, failure, and resilience shows that breaking the vase is a journey worth taking.
The Power of a Workplace Without Perfect Vases
Imagine a workplace where employees don’t feel the need to shrink themselves to fit in. Where they bring their whole selves to work—their creativity, their boldness, their full potential. A culture of conformity stifles innovation, but a culture of courage builds companies that thrive.
Organizations that thrive are built by people who dare to break the vase.
So, as leaders, we must ask ourselves: Are we reinforcing conformity, or are we helping our teams find the courage to shatter the vases that hold them back?
Building Leaders. Breaking Limitations.
Dima Ghawi is a catalyst for leadership transformation, guiding professionals and organizations to shatter limitations, embrace growth, and lead boldly. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential.
Ready to break the vases holding you back? Connect with Dima at DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.
