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 Chelsea Noll-McClintock.

Chelsea Noll-McClintock is a Peabody award-winning producer at Smartypants Pictures. She finds fulfillment in being able to combine her organizational and logistical strengths with her love for creativity. She enjoys the chance to travel and personally connect with documentary subjects, showcasing their humanity and creating meaningful relationships outside her previous network. Working on various projects at Smartypants has broadened her connections and provided her with a long-term home where she can utilize her skills and contribute to a creative environment.

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?

Igrew up in a small shore town in South Jersey and knew from a young age that I wanted to move to the “big city” — that was the dream. At 18, I moved to NYC and went to NYU where I studied Communications. I didn’t quite know where that would land professionally at the time, but I always loved all forms of media — television, film, books, journalism. While in school, I did a lot of internships which brought me into the world of television. Over the years working in various forms of production, and a move from NYC to the suburbs of Philadelphia, I’ve gradually made my way into commercials and documentaries, and everything that I do today.

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

I do; it’s actually from my mom. When I was in seventh grade, my mom went back to school. She had always wanted to work in psychiatry and didn’t let the passage of time or raising a family deter her from ultimately getting her Masters and becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She graduated the year I graduated high school. When she first went back to school, it kind of upended our routines. As she was learning how to balance ALL of the things she said to me in reference to herself — “you can do anything for a year.” It’s a perfect sentiment, in good times and in bad, that time passes quickly and it can be incredibly freeing. It’s something I’ve taken with me and imparted to many friends.

When things feel really overwhelming, just remember that “you can do anything for a year”; I think it gives perspective on just how capable you are of making it through anything at any given time. But more importantly, it takes the pressure off. When you think of things in terms of stages, it allows you the freedom to explore and not be daunted by time or commitment, or what that means in the long term. A year goes by much faster than we ever think it does.

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 wouldn’t say there’s any specific one, because I am the kind of person who gets completely enthralled by whatever book, podcast, or film I’m reading, listening to, or watching at any given time. I’m very much influenced by where I am at that point in time. It’s not a particular piece of media as much as media as a whole; it’s all such a big part of how I experience life and share in it with others.

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?

I think being authentic means being honest and transparent, mostly with yourself. Transparency, particularly in our industry, is one of the best qualities you can have in a relationship with each other, a mentor or mentee, or a client. There are so many moving parts to production that transparency in intention and goals is all anybody really wants in order to get the best possible creative output. It’s about coming together to figure out what it takes to get something done, and I think being authentic allows for that collective transparency.

What does being vulnerable mean? Can you explain?

To me, being vulnerable similarly translates to being open, but it’s a little bit different. Being open means revealing things that you may not necessarily want to. Sometimes as a producer, you have to figure out solutions to things that haven’t exactly gone according to plan, and the only way to solve that problem is by addressing it head-on. It takes vulnerability to have those open honest discussions to problem solve.

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

I think the positive aspect is its relationship-building capability. When you’re openly authentic and vulnerable, people match you in return. Everything in this industry is about relationships: relationships with the content, clients, colleagues, crew members, and talent. The list goes on. When you can have that sort of authentic, vulnerable relationship with one another and your work, it translates to the screen.

I’d say this particularly applies to any of our documentary work and most recently on a film series we did for the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The artists we had the privilege to highlight and profile feel such passion for their life’s work and art, which can be incredibly difficult to summarize and explain in a short 3-minute film. The only way to translate that passion to an audience is via authenticity and transparency. I think the team did a really, really amazing job of meeting these artists, really hearing them, listening to what their process is, what their work means to them, being authentic and vulnerable with them, and the artists being authentic and vulnerable in return. And those pieces are really, really beautiful because of it.

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

I don’t see any negative sides to authenticity or vulnerability. I really respect people who are authentic and vulnerable, and I think it brings humanity to their work. I guess there is always a fear of opening up and being vulnerable about anything, but I do think in the arts and in film especially, it’s a really important aspect of what we do. It’s hard not to care about what we do, which only comes with being open and honest, transparent and vulnerable.

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

I think fear is probably the obvious answer. Nobody wants to be rejected. But I think also: professionalism. There’s a balance to be struck between being open and vulnerable and being professional. There are sometimes difficult conversations to be had. While there are amazing stories and ideas, there are also budgets, schedules, commitments, and contracts, and all of those things are professional. I think if you approach them in an authentic manner, it’s much easier to have those conversations very straightforwardly and work through them. It’s a team effort, and while it doesn’t have to be a negative thing, there’s always a balance between professionalism and perhaps being your open and honest self.

Hopefully, with more attention being paid to mental health and people, and how they contribute to our workforce, we’re getting to a place where being open and vulnerable doesn’t mean being “unprofessional”. It humanizes the work that translates to the screen. I think that’s a really beautiful thing, and it’s something that I try to do. There are times when humanity needs to come first.

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

1. It attracts. Authenticity attracts good energy and good people who will give you that honesty in return.
2. It’s freeing. When you’re not concerned with unnecessary pretenses, there’s a lot less time spent thinking about what you’re going to say and do before you say or do it.
3. It translates. If you’re real, the work is real — and it shows.
4. It’s fun. It’s fun to open up and have others open up to you! Personally and professionally, it makes for a healthier environment and a more enjoyable experience.
5. It saves time. There’s so much more time to be productive.

If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

“Humanity first.”

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why?

My mentor and good friend, Diane. She taught me what it means to be vulnerable and professional. She’s honest and transparent in all of the best ways, and everyone loves and respects her for it. I haven’t seen her recently — and she picks the best restaurants!

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