America, What is Really Going On?

 In 2019, I found myself sitting at the table with leaders who were responsible for making decisions that drove the mission forward and in the right direction. As the youngest and most junior officer in the room, it was both exciting and scary at the same time. The feelings of inadequacy and undeserving often surfaced each week as mission-critical items were presented to the board. 

Maybe you have been there before? 

Perhaps you are there right now?

What I found is that perspective matters when leaders are willing to listen. 

There was an issue brought to the board regarding individuals who were not meeting the standard and were acting out of character as a result. 

Having been on both sides of the coin both enlisted and officer, I knew I had a unique perspective that could add value to the conversation. 

Remember that confidence is earned before it is learned

 As the Commanding Officer went around the table he said "LT what do you think?"

At that moment, I mustered up the confidence to call it how I see it and said, Sir, I believe that this is an accountability issue and when we as leaders don't hold others accountable, it sets a standard that we will tolerate that kind of behavior, and it is only a matter of time before others start acting accordingly. 

When it comes to completing the mission, accountability can be a leader's best friend or worst enemy. 

There was a leader in the room who was the Senior Enlisted Advisor (the highest-ranking enlisted member) and he did not like the fact that I called out the problem as it was. 

He didn't like the fact that I reminded the room that the individual's actions were a direct reflection of the leader's standard (or lack of). 

After a heated debate, we finally ended the meeting and went out to seize the day. 

Fast forward two years and that same leader found themself in trouble and was forced to retire. 

Accountability was not their friend. 

I learned a lot from that experience and it set the tone for me today as I lead thousands of people all over the world. 

The Problems We See Today Are a Result of a Lack of Accountability

While you and I have no control over what is happening in our country, the last thing we need to do is immerse ourselves in the drama and chaos caused by the actions of others. 

To do so will consume our energy and ability to be an example for those we lead and those we love. 

Instead,

I would have you consider taking accountability for the areas of life that you are responsible for. 

🎯Your Health

🎯Your Relationships

🎯Your Spiritual and Mental faculty

Remember, it may not be your fault, but is your responsibility

How to embrace accountability and use it to your advantage:

 A good friend of mine and a member of the LEAD 360 Academy Dr. Jonathan Swindle said it best: "One day we will have to give an account for the life that we lived, we will have to answer to God why we did the things we did (or failed to do)."

And I think that it is a powerful statement to keep us in alignment with our assignment. 

How to Use Accountability to Your Advantage:

1. Set a Standard: In life, we don't get what we want, we get what we are willing to tolerate. Without a standard, we have no guiding principle to control how we live our lives. Even worse, we make decisions based on feelings rather than truth. The best way to control the chaos in life is to stay grounded in solid standards. 

2. Lead by Example: John Maxwell was right when he said, "The hardest person we will ever lead is ourselves." It's easy to tell others what they should do and hold them accountable, but who holds you accountable for doing what you know you should be doing? This is the importance of having a mentor or coach who can assist you in seeing the blind spots. 

Never Give a Command You Have Yet to Follow,

Never Give a Command You Are Not Willing to Follow

3. Dial in Your Discipline: The word discipline comes from the word disciple or "Follower" of truth. How ironic is it that we are fed a bunch of BS every day and the majority of people through lack of awareness, will follow it. Discipline also can be defined as studying, learning, training, and applying a system of standards. So how do you do this? Identify the roles that you fulfill in life personally and professionally and set goals and a standard that you will live by no matter what!

4. Get Real: Reality is the starting point for transformation. This sounds pretty obvious, but in a world full of highlight reels and false narratives, it's becoming harder and harder to discern what is real. That is why the previous 3 points are so important, especially discipline. No matter where you are right now, reality is the key to start moving in the right direction. 

You Can't Go Back and Change How It Began,

But You Can Always Decide Today How It Will End.

5. Be the Solution: No matter how big the problems may be, when you take the life stance to always be the solution, you make the conscious decision to do what's best for not only yourself but for others as well. If you think about it, we have 2 options when it comes to life...be part of the problem, or become part of the solution. You do this by committing to becoming the example.