I say I live for the Kingdom of God.
But really I live for my fame.
I say I feel accepted and loved by God.
But I live to prove my worth to others every day.
I say worship is all about the glory of God.
But I secretly want you to love me.
I say I spend personal time with Jesus every day.
But really I have more “productive” things to do
I tell you to do amazing things on this blog
But I fear failure like it’s my job.
Honesty
When I first began my journey as a young leader, I did everything I could to hide my insecurities and my weaknesses.
Matter of fact, I still do. I happen to think that if I can maintain a strong personna people will want to follow me.
The more I do that the less I believe it to be true. Leadership isn’t about constantly presenting the best version of yourself.
It’s about being honest.
3 Reasons You Need To Be Honest
Why is that? I can think of at least 3 reasons.
1. Your honesty invites trust – Brutal honesty in your leadership creates trust in those who follow. Yes, they want you to take action and get results but they want to know you’re real.
2. Your honesty foster openness in your team – The confession of your weakness frees others. They are also struggling with their insecurities and when you openly confess, they are inspired with hope.
3. Your weakness makes way for someone else’s strength – Your leadership is not all about you doing everything. You don’t need to be Superman. The greatest leaders make way for others and when you confess your weakness, others will rise up who have that strength.
Honesty is never easy. It’s vulnerable. It’s painful. But it may be just what you need to lead your team to the next level and minister in the strength that God supplies.
Question: How do you foster honesty in your leadership? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
So true!
Thanks for being so transparent David!
I foster honesty by being open to my accountability partners; the thought alone of being open can be dreadful, but the results are clear. It’s needed.
Accountability is so important. I even have a hard time being honest there!
So true!
I learned that if we aren’t honest with each other when being accountable, there’s something wrong. Sparks should be flying! Just as Proverbs 27:17 reads, “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”
But who am I to make it seem like honesty is easy. There are plenty of times that I can relate where being honest is tough! But that’s when I gotta kick myself in the butt and realize that life is bigger than reputation.
Good point Benjamin, life is bigger than our reputations and pride. I have to remind myself of that from time to time (or more like daily).
I like number 3 a great deal! Thank you for posting this. Honesty has to start with self, this year God is humbling me and showing me things about myself that need changed. Being honest with myself is improving my relationships with others.
I was reading today about how Jesus felt before going to the cross, “Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matt 26:38 NIV
He was honest with himself and his followers. He knew what was coming, he accepted it and trusted in his father, but he still felt overwhelmed. He gave us an excellent example of the importance of honesty and the power of prayer/spending time with God.
I love that example! Jesus was extremely honest. I always thought it remarkable that his desire to escape the path to calvary was even included in the Bible. But it shows Jesus wrestling with his humanity.
Have you ever been faced with resistance to being a Christian? What if it would mean rejection from your family or homeland or in your workplace. I sometimes wonder where my heart would be without a job, a loving family, church, structured communities to live in. But then again I have been in those kinds of adverse places and He overcame even when I did not. Belonging to Christ is the greatest gift of all, and one I still lose sight of way too often. He makes me fearless, but I still am full of fear. I want the guts to stand when all I want to do is run or hide or blame or excuse (yes I am very needy and the needy drain me painfully). I want to receive and give in sight of His perfect law that trumps all lesser things. I have found I cannot improve my relationship (how I interact, know, respond, serve and understand) God without improving the same things with people, all people wherever they are on the grid. The less I strive to make it work or fix, the more I see His work and guidance and instruction and hope and purposes. He is slow and sure and steady and kind and just. I am more like a jack in the box, but He works with that and knows my name and why I am here today. I am content to know He is enough for all the yesterdays, today’s and tomorrows. He has overcome all the darkness I will ever know, He is all the joy I will ever find. One thing about being a people is knowing you will never have to fill His shoes, and we have this unique ability to discover and experience and acknowledge Him over and over again in our linear yet finite physical existence. I am really not all that tough or spiritual or good or even talented. I am grateful for the opportunities to turn back to Him when they come and for the loving arms He gives to cry then assess and proceed in those situations that are so impossible.