Issue #19, November 18, 2009
Paul practiced what I call Open Hearted Leadership, a unique brand of genuine transparency that characterizes all servant leaders. He challenged his followers and contemporary leaders with these words, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange– I speak as to my children– open wide your hearts also.” (2Co 6:11-13) Paul’s appeal reveals the fundamental principles of leading with an open heart.
Open hearted leadership requires self-disclosure.
Paul talks about opening his heart, disclosing to others what would not otherwise be obvious to their eyes. Self-disclosure may involve revealing our own vulnerabilities or mistakes in appropriate ways. Open hearted leaders refuse to hide behind false walls of perfection and find ways to admit their humanity. Open hearted leadership may mean telling the whole truth to stakeholders when it would be easier to give things a more positive twist. Self-disclosure may be as simple as providing more information than required by a question. Some leaders provide vague or evasive answers to inquiries and attempt to reveal as little as possible. Open hearted leaders do not tell followers everything, but are committed to walk in a transparent manner and are not secretive about their lives.
Open hearted leadership is risky.
This kind of leadership will not always be reciprocated by followers and involves significant risk. Paul took a risk to open his heart to the Corinthians and to show them his affection. He modeled the way but they didn’t seem to ‘get it.’ At least at the time of writing the letter, they had not returned the favor. Open hearted leaders take the risk of being misunderstood. Their intentions may be perfect but someone may see their transparency as a sign of weakness or use it to turn around and attack the leader. Open hearted leaders risk the loss of privacy and a level of secrecy that others may routinely enjoy. While their openness may not be reciprocated by followers servant leaders focus on the needs of their followers and are willing to take the risk. They are willing to live in the proverbial ‘glass house’ where they can be seen by others.
Open hearted leadership is a choice.
Paul made a deliberate choice to open his heart to those he was leading. He recognized that the followers likewise could choose whether or not to open their hearts to him. All leaders face daily choices about whether to live in openness and transparency or retreat to a closet of secrecy. Leadership ‘experts’ recommend that the leader not reveal more than necessary. Being open is a difficult choice, particularly if the leader has experienced pain or misunderstanding when attempting to be open. Instinctively the leader will guard his/her heart instead of risking pain. But Paul’s example encourages servant leaders to choose to open their hearts to followers, focusing on what is good for them instead of the self interest of the leader.
Look for an opportunity today to open your heart to someone close to you and experience the freedom that comes from being authentic.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Can I recall any time recently in which I exposed a weakness to others?
- Do my followers see me as transparent or secretive?
- Have I experienced pain in the past that makes it difficult for me to practice open hearted leadership? If so, what do I need to do to find healing and freedom?
- Does my culture encourage or discourage openness? How does that impact my leadership?
- What can I do as a leader to encourage openness in my organization?