A common occurrence when speaking with established coaching clients or prospects is the answer we get to this question: “What are the three key factors that you feel your success in your job is dependent upon?” Invariably at least one of the factors point to the responsibilities of others … the boss, the team or the company in general. Wow! That’s giving others a lot of power over what you are able to achieve … and maybe having this view excuses one from having to try that hard to create and achieve their own success. I mean what’s the point? If one’s achievements are truly dependent on what others do for them or recognize in them, it’s very possible that the wait to reach a desired achievement could be a long one at that.
Trent Hamm, in his blog in the Christian Science Monitor put it this way: “It’s easy to blame others when you don’t get what you want. What actions can you take right now to change things? No matter what is going on in your life,
you can probably find a reason why someone else’s actions is keeping you from what you want. There are many elements of life that are outside of our direct control, and when the people who are in control of those elements make choices that don’t benefit us, it can be incredibly frustrating. However, it is in that moment of frustration that you decide whether or not you’re going to succeed.”
Just what can happen if we all embrace the idea that we are accountable to ourselves for making everything we want happen. Granted there are some things that we don’t control however the lion’s share still can belong to us … if we view it that way.
Linda Galindo expressed it well in her writing for the AMA – American Management Association. She said “Accountability is not just a mind-set—it’s also a skill-set that everyone can learn. It may not be as easy as one-two-three, but it is a three-step process:
- Responsibility
When you’re truly responsible, you believe that success or failure is up to you, even if you work within a team or are blind-sided by unforeseen circumstances. You own your commitment to a result before the fact, before you even take action. - Self-empowerment
There is only one kind of empowerment, and that is self-empowerment. Unlike granting authority, empowerment comes from within. By empowering yourself, you take the actions—and the risks—to achieve a result and get what you want. Rather than waiting for someone to declare you empowered or give you that one lucky break, you step outside your comfort zone, make things happen, and answer for the outcomes.
3. Personal accountability
Unlike responsibility (the “before”) and self-empowerment (the “during”), personal accounta
bility is the “after”. It’s a willingness to answer for the outcomes of your choices, actions, and behaviors. When you’re personally accountable, you stop assigning blame, “should-ing” on people, and making excuses. Instead, you take the fall when your choices cause problems.”
Worthy of some thought? There really is no downside. Owning your own drive to whatever you want to achieve is not just a good step to succeeding … rather it’s the key step to getting what you want and guess what? YOU control it! Ah … that feels good.
Mike Dorman
