Change begins with you.

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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?  

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September 2011: If there’s a problem, look in the mirror.

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As a leader of others, you are accountable for the culture and results of your organization.  And as a leader of your life, you are accountable for your own happiness and fulfillment.  If things are not going well, resist the temptation to blame others or assign excuses.  Look in the mirror, examine your decisions and behaviors, and understand that you are responsible. 
The situation may call for you to make some new choices.  An environment of accountability – across all dimensions of your professional and personal life – is healthy and powerful.  You’ve probably heard the term, “shadow of the leader.”  Whether you’re leading a company, department, team, social group or family, your behaviors will be modeled by others.  By visibly holding yourself accountable, you will set a tone of accountability for those around you -- a beneficial standard by any measure.