Being Transparent

Dear Friends:  This is an excellent article by our own infamous Charles, who loves the Lord and serves Him greatly.  Please read with an open heart to learn to be more like Christ in the workplace.  For those of you who don't work, do not fear.  This article can be applied to every area of our lives.  Blessings, Deb P.

By: Charles Ligon

The executive made a very transparent confession to his leadership team. He had made a mistake and was accepting full responsibility. His confession included phrases like “I totally miscalculated…”, “I completely overlooked...”, “I misunderstood the complexities…” etc. His transparency was real, it was heartfelt and it was refreshing.    

Was that an appropriate response for this executive? Should Christian leaders admit weaknesses and acknowledge mistakes? Indeed, the character trait of transparency has long been modeled by Godly and effective Christian leaders. Perhaps it was best modeled by the Apostle Paul. He said, we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life… (2 Corinthians 1:8-11). Many times throughout Scripture, Paul acknowledged his weakness and his complete dependence on God.

Transparent leaders are authentic and approachable, and they free their team to be the same. They foster deeper relationships within the organization leading to a heightened desire to bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2), to comfort one another (2 Cor. 1:4-7), to encourage one another (I Thess. 5:11), to forgive one another (Eph. 4:32), to care for one another (I Cor. 12:25) and to weep or rejoice with one another (Rom. 12:15). You see…for centuries, outsiders have watched to see if what they were hearing about Christians was actually true. The same is true in our workplaces. Work associates are watching to see authentic and transparent Christians.  

So…how about you? What do you do when you make a blunder? Do you shift the blame to others, sweep it under the rug and/or quietly walk a different direction…without admitting it. Or, do you acknowledge it before God and man. A person is transparent when he or she is willing to disclose setbacks as well as victories. Transparent people are real. They don’t disguise what is going on inside them and you can see through them.

Our workplace challenge is to be more transparent. It is okay for others to see our heartfelt cries to God; our petitions and our praise. Like Paul, others need to see our complete dependence upon the Lord. It will be freeing and refreshing for you and to those in your sphere of influence. Start today and make it count for His Glory.