A great deal has been written about transparency and leadership, frequently using a variety of examples to further explain where it is possible. In acknowledging a mistake in a judgment call that was made, or when going through a difficult period for the organization, when there’s a need to cut back, or even the hope and possibility of a major account coming in. The message is that “We are all in this together and affected by whatever happens.”
What happens however when you are the leader and someone is transparent about your performance?
Or transparent about how you come across? Or when they question your values and motivation?
When it is no longer about the “We” but about the “I,” it can be far more challenging to desire transparency and to face personal challenges for growth.
While we may enjoy the fun of discussing theories, concepts, and possible scenarios, it is a very different story when our sense of self is being confronted. For so many, the effort to live up to some illusionary concept of who we should be, and where we should be financially, emotionally, and status wise, it can be embarrassing at best or completely disheartening to recognize that not everyone believes the mask or image you are projecting or even necessarily sees it. At those moments, we are forced to confront the reality of where we are and who we are. Those are not always things we are ready to look at, even alone.
I know in my moments of meditation that I am at times forced (actually called) to acknowledge that I have been busy but not always productive or recognizing that where I want to be doesn’t seem to be working so where I am meant to be is waiting to be acknowledged. Neither of those are necessarily fun to witness yet each can be so real.
In addition, have you ever sat and recognized you are as afraid of succeeding as you are of failing? Or that you are wishing for two diametrically opposed outcomes at the same time? In that case, you get to feel you failed no matter what the outcome. Have you ever seen that you are afraid of letting go of being stuck because it would mean you need to grow and face the challenges of becoming the person you need to be in order to achieve that next dream?
These are existential fears that exist in most all of us at varying times. The huge difference in all of the above, is that some people visit any or all of these places at some point. Some people visit some of these places on rare occasions while others may be living in, not visiting, one or more of these places as they are reading this newsletter.
I welcome you to honor your humanity, to recognize the energetic “higher self” calling you to become everything you are capable of, while identifying the “lower or shadow self” that calls you to play it safe and betray yourself as needed to stay in a place without challenge, growth, risk, versus coming alive with passion vibrancy, and wholeness. It’s your choice. Choose absolute transparency and life, they are a great choice!
