Do you work in an environment of grace?
Are your co-workers for you? Are you for them?
Do they have your best interest in mind? Do you have theirs?
Do you show them grace? Do they offer you grace?
There is no environment quite like an environment of grace. In grace, you're free to try new things, to try again, fail, explore, learn, and grow. You can just be you. The freedom you feel in a grace-based environment is unparalleled – but like all freedoms, they aren't free.
An environment of grace comes at the cost of vulnerability. And for many leaders, that price is too steep to pay.
Often we see leaders for their courage, willingness to take risks, and ability to forge new paths unscathed by obstacles. They showcase strengths and hide weaknesses.
But this view of leadership is broken.
Here’s why…
This view of leadership often lacks vulnerability. Leaders like this never expose their hurts and flaws– especially not in front of those they lead. What damage this type of leader does to their own leadership potential!
Take this lesson from founding father George Washington's life--
As the story goes, in March of 1783, many un-paid and angry soldiers under Washington's command had begun a dangerous and freedom-threatening mutiny that could have led to a coup d'etat of our newly founded nation. These soldiers were furiously impatient with their treatment. They began to question the leadership of the very cause they had laid down their lives for.
Unexpectedly, Washington entered the room, and everyone grew eerily silent.
He saw their weary faces – and he had compassion for them as he addressed their concerns. But, as he reminded them of how fragile our nation was, he challenged them to resist civil discord -- and be patient.
He then pulled a letter from his pocket written by a member of congress addressed explicitly to the soldiers and started to unfold it before them.
Before he read it, he took a pair of wire-rimmed glasses out of his pocket. Then with vulnerability, he spoke these famous words, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now find myself growing blind." He continued to read the letter.
As he spoke, this group of angry and battle-hardened soldiers transformed into weeping loyalists who only deepened in appreciation for the leader they had so bravely fought underneath.
Washington's vulnerability rewrote the story that was unfolding minutes earlier.
Vulnerability is a core component of trust – and trust is essential in leadership. You can't lead those who won't follow you – and people won't desire to follow you if they don't trust you.
Leader:
How comfortable are you showing your weaknesses to those you lead?
Do you embrace vulnerability as one of your core leadership traits?
Would you be willing to?
We cannot always choose the environment we are placed in, but we always hold power to choose the environment we create.
If you want to excel in leadership, embrace vulnerability.
Create an environment of grace by embracing your weaknesses and not being afraid to let others see them. Provide a space for others to show you grace – and give them grace through their weaknesses.
Henry Cloud says it like this: "We can be around a lot of acceptance and grace, but until the hurt and guilty places of our hearts are exposed, we do not experience grace, and the gap between our head and our heart continues."
We must experience grace to truly know it – and grace must be known before it can be shown.
Creating an environment of grace through vulnerability, and you'll discover a new level of trust being built with those you lead.
Where have you experienced an environment of grace? I’d love to know. Leave me a comment below.
