All Hands In

Hey hey, Kick Assers. New month, new soft skill theme…⁠
This month at All Hands In we’re exploring the soft skill of Communication.⁠
Communication is: “The imparting or exchanging of information. The successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings.”⁠
But here’s the thing, Kick Assers… communication is so much more than just talking.⁠
It’s the pause before reacting. It’s listening instead of waiting to respond. It’s tone. Body language. Timing. Curiosity. Clarity. Boundaries. Repair. It’s our ability to help another human being understand what’s happening inside of us… and our willingness to understand what’s happening inside of them.⁠
And in a world where people are often speaking at each other instead of with each other, communication has become a deeply necessary soft skill.⁠
Strong communication helps us: Build trust, navigate conflict, strengthen relationships, advocate for ourselves, collaborate more effectively and create safer, more connected communities.⁠
This month we’ll be exploring communication through the All Hands In lens: What it is, why it matters and ways to practice it. ⁠
Because communication isn’t about being perfect. It’s about practicing connection. One vulnerably courageous step at a time.⁠
What’s one thing you wish people understood about the way you communicate?⁠
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Kick Assers,
Vulnerability isn’t something we “arrive” at. It’s a practice. A messy, human, sometimes-wobbly practice. And the truth is it’s a lot easier to practice vulnerability when you’re not doing it alone.
That’s why we created the Kick Asser Community.
A space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. Where you can show up as you are guarded, open, unsure, growing… all of it is welcome.
Inside our Kick Asser Community, we gather in two virtual spaces: Sapphic Circle a space for sapphic connection, expression, and community. Sisterhood Circle a space rooted in support, reflection, and real, grounded connection.
These aren’t spaces for perfection. They’re spaces for practice. Practice being seen. Practice using your voice. Practice softening the armor at your own pace, in your own way. Because when vulnerability is met with care instead of judgment? Something shifts.
Connection deepens. Belonging expands. And suddenly… you’re not doing life alone. So if you’ve been craving community that feels real, supportive, and a little bit magical…You’re invited.
Drop “I Kick Ass” in the comments or send me a DM to learn more and join us.
We’d love to have you in the circle.

Vulnerable vs. Armored
If I’m being honest… my default setting used to be armored. And not in an obvious way. Not loud or aggressive.
More like: “I’m fine.” “I don’t need anything.” “I’ve got it.”
(Meanwhile… internally? The duckling in the sunglasses with a knife is fully activated.)
Because here’s the thing when vulnerability shows up, it can feel like a threat. Like we need to protect ourselves. Close off. Stay guarded. Keep it together.
And to be clear that armor? It’s not wrong. It’s protective. It’s learned. It’s often been necessary. But over time, I realized something:
The same armor that protects me… also disconnects me. From my needs. From my inner voice. From other people. So instead of trying to “push through” vulnerability, I started practicing something different: Learning how to armor down instead of up.
For me, that looks like: Noticing when I’m shutting down or bracing. Pausing instead of reacting. Getting honest (with myself first, then others). Letting it be a little messy, a little human.
And slowly… that shift changes things.
I feel more connected. More clear. More me. Not perfectly vulnerable all the time (absolutely not), but more aware of the choice.
So if you’re someone who goes into full duckling-defense-mode when vulnerability shows up: You’re not broken. You’re practiced.
And you can learn a different practice, too. Where do you notice yourself armoring up most relationships, work, family, somewhere else?
And if you’re ready to build the awareness and skills to move from armored to open in a way that feels accessible and doable… That’s the work we do at All Hands In. Connect with us through the link in our bio to bring a workshop to your team or community and let’s practice it together. You got this!

Feeling overwhelmed?
Yeah… you’re not the only one.
Stress has a way of creeping into everything your body, your thoughts, your energy and before you know it, you’re just trying to get through the day.
But what if you had real tools to work with your stress instead of constantly pushing through it?
Join us for our Stress Management Virtual Workshop, May 23rd @3:00 PM (ET)
This isn’t about “just calming down” or pretending everything is fine.
This is about learning: How stress actually shows up in your body. Practical ways to regulate your nervous system in real time. Tools you can actually use when things feel overwhelming
And because this is All Hands In…
Bring a stuffed animal, Squishmallow, or even a pillow. Yes, really.
We’ll be using playful, hands-on exercises (hello puppetry) to help you explore stress outside of yourself so you can understand it, shift it, and move through it with more ease.
Because sometimes the most powerful work doesn’t come from pushing harder… it comes from approaching things differently.
Learn practical tips. Build real skills. Have some fun while doing it.
Tickets + info are available through the link in our bio.
Come as you are—overwhelmed, curious, skeptical, all of it is welcome.

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.” — Brené Brown
Let’s sit with that for a moment.
Because vulnerability doesn’t usually announce itself as something noble or inspiring. It doesn’t walk in saying, “Hi, I’m courage.”
It sounds more like: “This is hard for me to say…”, “I’m not sure how this will land, but…”, “I need…”, “I feel…”
It’s the truth—unpolished, a little shaky, sometimes inconvenient.
And in the moment? It rarely feels powerful.
It feels like exposure. Like risk. Like stepping into the unknown without a guarantee of how you’ll be received.
But that’s exactly where the courage lives.
Not in having it all figured out. Not in saying it perfectly. But in choosing to show up honestly anyway.
That’s the practice.
And over time, those small, truthful moments? They build something real Real self-trust. Real connection. Real alignment with who you actually are.
So if vulnerability feels uncomfortable for you… you’re probably right on track.
What’s one truth you’ve been holding that might be ready to be gently spoken?
And if you’re ready to build the kind of courage that supports honest communication, meaningful connection, and grounded confidence that’s exactly the work we do at All Hands In. Bring a workshop to your team or community and let’s practice vulnerability in a way that’s engaging, human, and actually sticks.

Practicing vulnerability doesn’t usually look like a big, dramatic moment. It looks like small choices… that feel just uncomfortable enough to make you pause.
Here are 3 ways to start:
1. Start with awareness Before you say anything out loud, notice what’s happening inside.
What are you feeling? What are you needing? Where do you feel it in your body?
Vulnerability begins internally with honesty toward yourself. You can’t share what you haven’t first allowed yourself to recognize.
2. Step into courage This is the moment. The tiny leap. It might sound like: “I’m a little nervous to say this, and…” OR “This feels awkward, and I want to be honest…”
Courage doesn’t remove the fear it just helps you move with it.
(And yes… your voice might wobble. That’s part of it.)
3. Speak your needs. Clear. Kind. Real.
Not hints. Not hoping someone reads your mind. Actually saying the thing.
“I need more clarity here.” “I’d really appreciate support with this.” “I’m feeling a little disconnected.”
This is where vulnerability becomes connection.

And just to be real for a second this practice doesn’t magically become easy.
It feels awkward. It feels risky. And, sometimes you’ll walk away thinking, “Why did I say that?”
But over time? You build trust with yourself. You build clarity in your relationships. You create space for connection that actually feels like something.
So start small. Start honest. Start where you are. Which of these feels most doable for you right now awareness, courage, or speaking your needs?
And if you’re ready to build vulnerability as a real, lived skill (not just a concept), that’s exactly what we do at All Hands In. Want to bring a workshop to your team, classroom, or community and let’s practice this together in a way that’s engaging, human, and actually sticks.

Vulnerability gets a bad reputation. We tend to associate it with discomfort (fair), risk (also fair), and moments where we feel exposed (very fair).
But what often gets left out of the conversation is this: Vulnerability is also a skill. And like any skill, it has real, tangible benefits when we practice it.
Here are 3 reasons why vulnerability is worth working on:
It gives you clarity about who “your people” are When you show up honestly needs, values, feelings and all you get real information back. Who leans in? Who pulls away? Who meets you where you are? Vulnerability helps you stop guessing and start knowing where you belong.
It builds courage Courage isn’t something you magically wake up with. It’s built in small, intentional moments of doing something that feels a little scary… and realizing you can handle it. Every time you practice vulnerability, you expand your capacity to face discomfort and move through it.
It strengthens human connection Surface-level connection feels… surface-level. Vulnerability is what allows relationships to deepen, to feel safe, to feel real. It creates space for trust, empathy, and mutual understanding to actually take root.
So no vulnerability isn’t easy. But it is incredibly effective. And the good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
At All Hands In, we teach vulnerability as a practical, embodied soft skill one that supports stronger communication, deeper connection, and more grounded, confident humans (yes, even in the workplace ).
If you or your team are ready to build these skills in a way that’s engaging, human, and actually sticks—let’s connect.
Reach out to work with All Hands In or bring a workshop to your community or organization.