I was recently asked, “How does your transparency as a leader matter?” As I wrestled with the answer, I concluded that transparency is not just one little component that contributes to healthy leadership, rather it’s a foundational piece. In leadership you assume the responsibility of modeling certain behaviors. Here at RLMT we often state, “The disciple you are, determines the disciples you make.” The way one leads will often be reproduced with those whom they lead. So, what are you trying to reproduce? My hope is a healthy disciple of King Jesus.
You will hardly ever hear me say, “Let me be honest with you.” As one who has a new life in Christ, it is my belief that we should always be honest. Colossians 3:9 ESV says, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.” I will often say, “Let me be transparent with you.” Transparency is humility because you’re inviting others to know you as you truly are. I make a conscious effort to be authentic and transparent with everyone; especially those I lead.
I’ve found that when I speak to others transparently about my life, they tend to open up to me about what’s going on in theirs. I recall one specific time that I had shared a past hurt of mine that the Lord redeemed, in a large group setting with 50 plus people. Little did I know that my transparency impacted a man in that group that was holding on to a past hurt which was crippling his walk with King Jesus. One day soon after my testimony, he called me and asked if we could meet in my office, and of course, I obliged. Amazingly, that would be the day that God gave him complete victory over that painful memory. The man asked me how was I able to share so freely? My response was simply that my identity is not in my struggle, but in my Savior. He expressed his desire to have freedom in Christ and proceeded to share a grievous childhood hurt he’d been carrying all his adult life. I don’t know how long the conversation lasted, but I do remember the freedom that man left with. The Lord used my willingness to be transparent to bless him. I can now joyfully say that not only is that man a faithful member of our church, but he is also one of my volunteer leaders in a ministry I oversee. Now he’s leading by example as he’s transparent with others about his past hurts and struggles. It has been a pleasure to watch those he’s transparent with experience the same freedom that he once received.
I have learned that transparency is critical in leadership role. It’s interesting that Webster’s dictionary defines transparency as, “The quality of allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen.” At the end of the day isn’t that, as believers, what we should be trying to do is point others to King Jesus? If we live our life transparently, others should be able to see King Jesus through us. Let me leave you with the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ESV,
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. [2] But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. [3] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. [4] In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ESV
Beloved, be a brave, confident, and transparent leader. Let the Lord’s light shine through you!
This post originally appeared at: Foundational Transparency | Relational Discipleship Network (rdn1.com)