Issue #12, August 14, 2009
All leaders influence followers, but only servant leaders open their hearts to those who follow. Paul, in an intimate letter to the Corinthian church said, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.” (2 Cor. 6:11) Paul’s statement reveals a deliberate action which he took to connect with his followers. Leading with an open heart is never an accident; it is always a deliberate choice made in spite of the potential for hurt which exists.
Leading with an open heart does not happen easily or naturally. Leadership positions tend to encourage a gap between leader and follower. Some leaders encourage this gap and deliberately ensure that they maintain an emotional distance from those they lead by keeping all relationships at a ‘professional’ level. Leaders face daily choices about how open they will be with those who follow and should recognize that the natural tendency is to cover up who we really are and what is in our hearts. Leading with an open heart is always a choice of the will that focuses on the needs of others instead of our own fears or insecurities.
Leading with an open heart is a powerful leadership act that greatly multiplies influence. Servant leaders are willing to expose their own needs and weaknesses in appropriate ways. This models an authenticity which helps genuine relationships to develop and flourish. Leadership is all about relationships and as effective leaders open their hearts, they create an environment that feels safe for others to expose who they really are. This fosters an environment of trust and respect among staff persons or workers. Although relationships today are characterized by short text messages, one-line Facebook postings and Twitter updates; there is still a deep longing in our hearts to connect at a more intimate level. Servant leaders take the initiative to make this happen by opening their hearts.
Leading with an open heart allows communication not only of directives but of motives and reveals the ‘why’ behind the ‘what.’ For example, a servant leader can say, “I’m asking you to do this because I want to see you grow and develop.” Further, leaders who open their heart consistently attempt to communicate all that is appropriate. There are certainly times that it is inappropriate to share all that is in your heart, but servant leaders make it a habit to be as open as possible.
Opening your heart to others is an enormous risk. You can be wounded deeply or misunderstood. Followers may not always quickly reciprocate. The context of Paul’s statement reveals that his followers did not respond to his example in a like manner, at least not without some prodding from him. But if you desire to serve those you lead, it’s worth the risk. Leaders who consistently open wide their hearts to others are powerfully attractive and unfortunately far too uncommon. Take a deliberate step today to join Paul by not just opening a small crack in your leadership heart, but open it wide!
For further reflection and discussion:
- Does my leadership encourage others to open up their hearts?
- Has my leadership created a culture of openness in the organization I lead?
- Have I experienced pain in the past that makes it more difficult for me to lead with an open heart? What do I need to do to find healing?
- What specific action have I done in the last week that revealed an open heart? Or, where did I miss an opportunity to open my heart?
- Have I found ways to appropriately reveal my own needs and expose my own weaknesses to those who follow me?