How Do We Measure And Motivate Ourselves As Leaders?

How and what do you measure when you are the leader of the followers? What does accountability mean to successful leadership? It is an easy subject to talk about and even demand from others, but not so easy to stomach when it is directed at the leader themselves. Why? Because we often don’t want to be held to the same standard we demand from others, after all we are the leader. Accountability is all about standards and principle. It means the leader must be held to even the highest of standards if the leader expects that to flow down to the next level of leadership. This is where the transfer and longevity of the organization is launched and the trajectory of the organization is established. The flight pattern of the organization is determined by watching the diligent efforts, follow through, and most importantly the consistent presentation of the vision. This is where consistency and reliability get a solid footing in an organization. “Accountability is delivering on a commitment” Responsibility is the twin to accountability. When a leader starts to blame others for their lack of success, they should stop and ask who gets the reward for their success. The “buck stops here" philosophy falls upon the leader. The late President Truman had a sign on the presidential desk that read “The Buck Stops Here” - the Final stop of accountability is the Leader themselves. Until a leader takes responsibility, they take on a victim mentality, which is the opposite of a leader. When a leader is accountable and takes the responsibility seriously, they will be willing to answer for the good, bad and ugly caused by their decisions and choices. In other words, they will “own it” - the outcome. 1. Leaders seek answers outside themselves. 2. Leaders are always looking for ways to improve the situation as well as themselves. 3. Leaders are the first to say I am sorry If they are responsible. 4. Leaders set the tone with principle and virtue.

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