Stepping up

Who are you accountable to?

Continuing my series of posts about common characteristics shared by successful individuals, today we are going to discuss the characteristic of accountability.  Yesterday, we discussed victim behavior versus empowering one’s self by choosing how to respond to adversity.  This characteristic usually goes hand in hand with accountable behavior.

Accountability is usually viewed by others as simply saying what you mean, meaning what you say, and backing it up by following through on your commitments, or "stepping up."  What many people fail to recognize, however, is what sets the masses apart from the champions.

That distinction is this – when being accountable, you are not only accountable for following through on what you committed to; you are also accountable for the impact your words, actions, and behaviors have on other people.  It’s one thing to commit to something, however if your actions, while following through on your commitment, are hurtful to others, then you are not truly being accountable.

Accountability is about recognizing the impact of what you say and do.  The champions understand this, and they walk that fine line of accountability and responsibility to others.  When you can accomplish this difficult task, you join the ranks of champions in whatever you do!

I challenge you to think about your level of accountability.  Do you make firm commitments when talking with others?  Do you use phrases such as “I’ll make it a point to…” or “I will commit to…” or do you give yourself “escape holes” by using phrases such as “I’ll do my best to…” or “I will try to remember to…?”  Do you follow through on your commitments, or do you commit to things you really don’t intend to do, but you don’t want to be rude?

Listen carefully to what you say to others, and recognize the potential impact your words may have on others.  While you can’t predict how people will react to what you say or do in all situations, simply being mindful of this impact will make a significant difference in your relationships with others.

“Life is not accountable to us.  We are accountable to life.” ~Dennis Waitley

Have a great day!

-Victor