Cultivating Wise Workplace Vulnerability

1 Kings 10:1-15

10 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2 And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and said to Rehoboam, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now, therefore, lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” 5 He said to them, “Come to me again in three days.” So the people went away.

6 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” 7 And they said to him, “If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. 9 And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” 10 And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us’; thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. 11 And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ”

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king said, “Come to me again the third day.” 13 And the king answered them harshly; and forsaking the counsel of the old men, 14 King Rehoboam spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

When was the last time someone asked you for feedback in a staff meeting?

Did you respond with your full and unrestrained thoughts on the topic? What motivated your response?

When was the last time you asked for feedback in a staff meeting?

How confident are you that the responses were your staff members’ full and unrestrained thoughts?

Our response in these situations gets shaped as soon as we start interacting with others, especially in school. Most of us know the feeling of responding to a teacher’s question, only to find out you were wrong. The shame and embarrassment were enough to keep your hand down the next time. Perhaps you’ve asked for input from others. But, since you had already spent hours thinking it through, the question was actually pro-forma. Then, upon hearing a fatal flaw in your gem, you conclude that accepting an alternative approach will weaken your leadership position, so you dismiss or dismantle it.

In preparation for a recent meeting Board of Advisors meeting for Attune to Grow, I watched a TedTalk entitled “Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace,” by Amy Edmondson. It blew me out of my chair! (You should watch it now.)

Her research confirms what we have all experienced: most of us regularly edit or withhold our insights and suggestions based on fear of humiliation or rejection. Moreover, Edmundson’s research uncovered the costly nature of workplaces that are considered “unsafe for sharing.” Her research was not part of a faith-based study, nor was she drawing faith-based conclusions.

But I will.

The impact of the Fall reaches deep into the emotional, relational, and vocational aspects of our lives. This reality is what reformed theologians call “total depravity.” Rather than casting everyone as an axe murderer, the doctrine of total depravity simply means that sin impacts the whole of our lives.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of emotional and relational brokenness negatively impacting individual lives, communities, and kingdoms. King Rehoboam’s rejection of wise advice set the recently united kingdom on a path for division and conquest.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus is rightly concerned that the disciple’s quest for recognition and power will cloud their judgment and ministry.

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20–28.

Peter makes sure to include this instruction to the servants and leaders of the elect-exiles living in Asia Minor in the first century,

5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:1-5

How we interact with those around us has implications for the flourishing of our workplace. As Washington makes clear in a unique and profound way, these implications reach outside of Congressional and Cabinet offices to our nation and the world.

This poses three important questions,

What is the cost of not offering an insight?

What is the cost of discouraging an insight?

What is the cost of dismissing an insight?

If “Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace” matters, then paying serious attention to emotional and relational discipleship matters.

In Ephesians 5:22-6:9, Colossians 3:18-4:1, and 1 Peter 2:13-3:7 two church-planting pastors address how to interact within relationships defined by uneven power differentials: husbands/wives, parents/children, masters/slaves, governors/citizens. These are often referred to as “House-Tables.” Both Paul and Peter speak to these various relationships because house-tables were a well-recognized component of Roman life. However, Paul and Peter were recasting these relationships in terms of the gospel. Addressing women, children, and slaves (interns) was atypical since these people were viewed as insignificant. Rather than affirming slavery or empowering abusive husbands, these house-tables provided new definitions for dignity to those who had lived in insignificance. Conversely, those on the high-end of the power differential were given new instruction on how to “love their neighbor as themselves” within the context of uneven power dynamics.

Before moving on, let’s acknowledge that the term “safe” has taken on a more culturally nuanced meaning, especially in the workplace. “You are not a safe person,” may be a proper assessment or an attempt to assert power in a given situation.

We discussed that very topic in our board meeting last week. After many were encouraging the term, one member spoke up and suggested an alternative, “Cultivating Wise Vulnerability.” After more discussion, we decided to move forward using that term. We then went on to discuss how to get there.

Which brings me to the gospel.

Peter, the former “speak first ask questions never” disciple, reminds his readers,

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9–10.

Those are some profound statements about who we are as Christians. But, we have not earned this identity. Our identity is given to us by Christ and in Christ because of His work, not ours. What’s more,

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

The implications of rooting our identity in the gospel are profound regarding creating a safe workspace and cultivating wise vulnerability. Peter is saying that what is true of us cannot be taken away by anything that happens in a meeting on policy initiatives or how to vote on a piece of legislation.

Those on the high side of power differentials are no longer threatened by the insights of those they lead. They are confident in their standing in eyes of the One person who matters. As such, they welcome input that can lead to the flourishing of others.

Those on the low side of power differentials are not concerned about feeling shame for a wrong answer because they realize they are not all-knowing and their heavenly Father love’s them without asking for an exam score. They also recognize that God has placed them there to speak on His behalf and offer the unique insights they possess.

Of course, all of this is easier said and read than practiced. But, perhaps the starting place is remembering the role a gospel-centered identity has in encouraging and cultivating wise vulnerability.

Faithful Presence would welcome an opportunity to assist you in moving in this direction.