Change begins with you.

Most of us are familiar with the famous Gandhi quote, “Be the change you wish to see.”  This statement is all about accountability.  Thinking like an owner.  Understanding that the buck stops here, and that change begins with you.

There will always be things that aren’t going the way you want them to; problems, challenges, breakdowns in the system.  You can focus on “admiring the problem,” blaming others or assigning excuses.  But the true call of leadership is to light a candle.  Be an agent of positive change.  And help the organization find a better way.

Being the change you wish to see means that you step up, make your concerns and observations known, come forward with a solution and do your best to effect change.  An environment of accountability is healthy and powerful.  When others see that you are holding yourself accountable, they will begin holding themselves accountable.  It creates a leadership norm.

Today, think about a problem in your organization that’s really irking you.  And think about what you can do to drive positive change, either personally or through others.  If not you, then who?