Every person has a vase. Every employee in our organizations is holding onto one right now.
For some, it’s fear of failure that keeps them from stepping into leadership. For others, it’s self-doubt that convinces them their ideas aren’t worth sharing. Some are weighed down by past mistakes, afraid to take another risk. And many feel trapped by unspoken rules—the belief that they must stay silent, conform, or fit into a mold that doesn’t allow them to fully thrive.
As leaders, our responsibility is to break our own vases and to empower others to break theirs. It is our job to create an environment where employees feel safe enough, supported enough, and bold enough to shatter what holds them back and rise into their full potential.
Recognizing the Vases That Hold Employees Back
Many employees are standing at the edge of their own transformation, waiting for a leader to tell them that they are strong enough to take the leap. A leader who is committed to empowering their employees must first recognize the vases that hold them back. These vases often take the form of:
Fear of speaking up—Employees who have ideas but hesitate to share them.
Lack of confidence—Talented individuals who don’t see their own leadership potential.
Rigid expectations—Unspoken rules that stifle creativity and prevent risk-taking.
Perfectionism and fear of failure—A culture where mistakes are punished rather than used as stepping stones for growth.
These invisible barriers keep employees from fully stepping into their capabilities. If we, as leaders, do not help them break free, we are not just holding them back—we are holding our entire organization back.
Creating a Culture Where Employees Feel Safe to Shatter Their Vases
Shattering a vase is not easy. It is uncomfortable. It is vulnerable. It is uncertain. But transformation only happens when people feel safe enough to take risks.
Leaders must cultivate an environment where employees:
Know their voices matter. Encourage open communication, make space for their ideas, and show them that their perspectives are valued.
Are supported through failure. Instead of fearing mistakes, employees should see them as part of the journey—a necessary breaking before the rising.
Feel trusted to take ownership. Give employees the autonomy to make decisions and lead in their own way. Confidence is built through action, not permission.
When employees feel safe, seen, and supported, they will take the bold steps needed to break through their own limitations. And when they do, they will not just grow—they will inspire others to do the same.
Leading by Example: Breaking Our Own Vases First
Employees will not dare to break their vases unless they see us, as leaders, doing the same. We must be willing to share our struggles, admit our fears, and model the courage we ask of them.
Leaders who show their own vulnerability give others permission to do the same. When employees see a leader embrace change, challenge norms, and rise from the shards, they believe they can too.
The Legacy of a Leader Who Empowers Others
The leaders who create lasting impact are not the ones who keep their teams safe within an unbroken structure—they are the ones who help them break through their limitations and step into something greater.
Imagine a workplace where employees are not afraid to take risks, not hesitant to share bold ideas, not trapped by self-doubt. Imagine a team of individuals who have shattered their vases and risen with confidence, creativity, and resilience. That is the kind of organization that thrives.
So I ask you: Are you helping your employees break free? Are you empowering them to rise from the shards? Are you creating a culture where they feel safe enough to shatter their vases?
Because leadership is about breaking our own vases, and also giving others the strength to break theirs.
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.
