Authentic Leadership –Part 4

This is the fourth in a series of blog posts examining the subject of “Authentic Leadership.”

Part 1 was posted on June 6, 2016; Part 2 was posted on June 13, 2016; Part 3 was posted on June 20, 2016.

Abstract

What does it mean to be authentic? What does authentic leadership look like? What are the qualities and characteristics of an authentic leader? What deterrents are there to being authentic? Is authenticity a help or deterrent to strategic communication? What is the place of vulnerability and truthfulness in being authentic? To what leadership models should authentic leaders be compared? In this series of blog posts we will address these questions along with the postulation that authentic leadership must be measured universally against the servant leadership model exemplified by Jesus Christ, and individually against the specific gifts and purpose each individual has been endowed with by their Creator.

Authentic Leadership – Part 4

In parts 1 and 2 of this series we have defined what it means to be authentic: Conforming to, copying, reproducing or having the same characteristics as an original. We have suggested that the best model of leadership to be emulated and conformed to is the selfless leadership exemplified by Christ. Last week, in part 3, we looked at a lack of social awareness and the misuse of power as deterrents to authentic leadership. In regard to the use of power in leadership, this week we will consider whether truthfulness and vulnerability are a help or a hindrance.

Is Being Vulnerable and Truthful Prerequisite to Being Authentic?

Does a leader lose power in finding their authentic voice as leader if this includes actions such as truth-telling and being vulnerable? Being open and honest, especially about your feelings, certainly opens you up to vulnerability. Whenever we drop our defenses and approach another person with open arms, we risk the chance of being hit with a cheap shot. The opposite, keeping ourselves behind a wall of protection, renders us incapable of meaningful interchange with other people. Simon and Garfunkel (1965) recorded a sad song titled I am a Rock that expresses the feeling of vulnerability that causes one to hide from relationships with others. The lyrics in part go like this:

            I am a rock.

I am an island.

            I’ve built walls;

A fortress deep and mighty,

That none may penetrate.

            I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.

Its laughter and its loving I disdain.

I am a rock.

I am an island.

I am shielded in my armor,

Hiding in my room,

Safe within my womb.

I touch no one and no one touches me.

I am a rock.

I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain,

And an island never cries.

To seal oneself off from relationships with others for fear of the pain is to relegate oneself to pain of another kind—the pain of loneliness, lack of joy, and want of purpose.

Cloud and Townsend (2003) profess that successful confrontation always involves balancing grace and truth. “Grace is your being on the side of, of ‘for,’ the other person as well as the relationship. Truth is the reality of whatever you need to say about the problem” (p. 42). Jesus Christ was the perfect balance of these two elements. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (NIV Bible, John 1:17). People need both grace and truth in relationships with God and with each other. With Christ-like authenticity, power is not lost, but gained through truth and vulnerability.           

(to be continued)

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NOTE: Please visit this blog site each week (a new blog is posted every Monday). This blog entry is part 4 of a series of blog posts examining the subject of Authentic Leadership. Part 1 was posted on 2017-07-10, Part 2 was posted on 2017-07-17, Part 3 was posted 2017-07-24.

Next week: Part 5 - “What are the Qualities and Characteristics of an Authentic Leader?”

References:

Simon, P. (1965). I am a Rock [Recorded by Simon and Garfunkel].

On Sounds of Silence. Retrieved June 26, 2016, from http://sglyrics.myrmid.com/sounds.htm#track11  

Cloud, H. & Townsend, J. (2003). Boundaries Face to Face.

How to have that difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding.

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan