Personal Accountability

Accountable people look for solutions, not scapegoats. They blame no one – not even themselves. If a “self-critique” is warranted, they ask QBQ’s like “What could I have done differently?” and “How can I learn from this experience?”

True personal accountability is about each of us holding ourselves accountable for our own thinking and behaviors and the results they produce.

Personal accountability isn’t about hiding behind the team and making excuses. And it certainly is not about changing others. Its about making a difference by changing ourselves. 

Personal Accountability Questions:

·     How can I adapt to the changing world?

·      What can I do to become a more effective listener?

·      How can I better understand others?

·      What can I do to find the information I need to make a decision?

·      How can I excel in my work right now?

·      How can I achieve with the resources I already have?

·      How can I apply what I’m hearing? – even if I’ve heard it before.

·      What can I do right now to make a difference?

·      How can I appreciate people’s gifts and strengths just as they are?

·      How can I set a better example?

From "QBQ! The Question Behind The Question" by John G. Miller 

9 Ways To Be A Great Team Member

One of my favorite authors and favorite follows on twitter is Jon Gordon. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't learn something from him. He quotes invoke so much personal reflection. They make you think about the person you are and want to become. 4 months to the day, he shared his 9 Ways to Be a Great Team Member piece on his blog. This is a must read for anyone who is part of team, whether in a business or a sports related field. The list and full explanations of each can be found here. 

1. Set the Example - Decide to set the example and show your team members what hard work, passions, and commitment looks like.

2. Use Your Strengths to Help the Team - Without your effort, focus, talent, and growth the team won't accomplish its mission. Be selfish by developing you and unselfish by making sure your strengths serve the team.

3. Share Positive Contagious Energy - When you share positive energy you infectiously enhance the mood, morale and performance of your team. Remember, negativity is toxic.

4. Know and Live the Magic Ratio - Teams that experience positive interactions at a ratio equal or greater that 3:1 are more productive and higher performing than those with a ratio less than 3:1.

5. Put the Team First - Whatever it takes to make the team better. Your ego must be subservient to the mission and purpose of the team.

6. Build Relationships - You can be the smartest person in the room but if you don't connect with others you will fail as a team member.

7. Trust and Be Trusted - Trust is earned through integrity, consistency, honesty, transparency, vulnerability and dependability.

8. Hold Them Accountable - Don't be afraid to hold your team members accountable. But remember to be effective you must build trust and a relationship with your team members.

9. Be Humble - If we are not humble we won't allow ourselves to be accountable. There's tremendous power in humility that makes us and our team better.

Jay Bilas on Accountability

"Toughness is about accountability, and tough players are willing to hold teammates accountable for the team’s standards, without worry that a player will take criticism or a command the wrong way. Similarly, there needs to be a level of trust that one will say what is necessary in the right tone, and with the right intentions. Teammates cannot fear hurt feelings, but have to trust that everyone is tough enough to accept that anything said is said in the best interests of the team’s performance and development." 


From Toughness by Jay Bilas