Leadership isn’t about a title or a position. It’s a mentality — an approach to how you do your job.
Leaders don’t just give orders. In fact, someone can lead without ever taking charge of another person.
Leaders are people who take initiative. They’re the ones who don’t wait for someone else to step up. They hold others accountable and hold themselves to the same high standards.
You can develop leaders at all levels of your company and teach them to groom future leaders.
For any of us who are parents, the process of “letting go” of our children can be one of the most difficult experiences with which to deal. We’ve birthed them, we’ve fed them, we’ve clothed them, we’ve gotten furious with them, we’ve had compassion for them, we’ve held them in our arms when things got scary or confusing, and celebrated many a success with them. We’ve made an enormous investment of our time, our effort, and our hearts.
But at some point, we have to let them go. They are ready to face the world without us; to create experiences, success, and resolve issues on their own.
As well intended as it might be, if we hold on too long or too tight, they won’t grow.
It appears as if Greg McKeown has written a book for business owners and leaders who run their business on EOS – the Entrepreneurial Operating System. One of the basic tenants of EOS is that less is more, that you have to go slow to go fast. Focus, focus, focus. Single point accountability. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less meshes perfectly with these concepts.
Many summers ago, I attended Boston Pops concerts at Tanglewood Music Center with a group of friends. We would arrive at our campground on Friday afternoon; attend as many concerts as possible Friday and Saturday, and head home on Sunday. Some weekends 20 of us would show up. Other weekends only six could make it.
One weekend only two of us made the trip, and over a late-night snack of coffee and apple pie, we determined that we both wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail end-to-end. A dream was born, and a plan was created and executed. I can still see that “aha moment” in my mind’s eye.
You probably can remember the exact moment your idea for your company emerged. You put your heart and soul into making your important dream a reality. Congratulations – that takes an enormous amount of focus, sweat, tears, and fortitude.
The concept of accountability means different things to different people. Some think that it’s simply doing what you say you will do. Others proclaim it’s when things reach the point where “the buck stops here!”
After working with hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs, I have found that true accountability occurs only when it is ingrained in the company’s culture, and it always starts with the leadership team.
Sadly, most organizations don’t truly foster a culture of accountability. Employees are left to interpret what they’re accountable for, which can lead to confusion, frustration, and apathy.
