Open leadership, it's about relationships

So it's been a while since I wrote a blog post. I've conducted two telephone interviews since last time (findings TBA, it's a bit too soon). But what's interesting is that I found a GREAT book! It's by Charlene Li and it's called Open Leaderhip. I've only completed the first chapter and already I love it! Here is a list Li presents with respect to open leadership, which basically is about how to lead in this new world of openness demanded by the rise of social media. I have supplemented the list (in bold) with my own comments.

The new rules of open leadership

1. Respect that your customer an employees have power - individuals are empowered by social media, have a relationship with them. Leaders are used to having control, but this is not the way a relationship should work. As Li sais: "think about the most fulfilling relationship you have in your personal life. Do you control it? Do you dictate the terms and expect the other person to follow you blindly? Or do you continually invest time and hard work and endure many trials to grow and develop that relationship?"
2. Share constantly to build trust - by only sharing your success you become less trustworthy, this is about being honest. Would you like your friends to only tell you about the good stuff in their life, or do you want the truth?
3. Nurture curiosity and humility -care about your listeners. One my professors at Boston University SMG kept telling us "you've got two ears and one mouth, therefore you should listen twice as much as you talk".
4. Hold openness accountable - if someone misuse your openness, for example talk trash on your blog, tell them that you will deny them future access. 
5. Forgive failure - in relationships, people make mistakes. In good relationships, people forgive mistakes.

I think Li's message is clear:

Leaders: you're no longer in control, you're in evermore mutual relationships, deal with it!