True Leaders Accept The Challenges Of Total Accountability

Today's leaders must embody several characteristics

. And one of them stands stand out, at least to all of their followers more than the others. It's likely that only a very few people reading this article remembers President Harry S. Truman, but we all remember the famous sign on his desk that describes this important leadership trait. The Buck Stops Here!

Successful leadership strategies means many things.

A leader must accept the burdens of accountability. When bad things happen the leader takes responsibility. Leaders are always willing to account for their own actions as well as those of their subordinates. Leaders will never heap praise on others for what they themselves have achieved. And they never ever put the blame on others for what they have failed to achieve.

Leaders do not make excuses, they take responsibility for the results no matter whether the consequences are earth shatteringly great or disastrous. Closely aligned with the willingness to be accountable in all things, a leader takes responsibility!

Remember, leaders are only necessary when someone must be responsible to see that things actually get done. It is the leaders responsibility to see that directions are followed and that actions required are actually taken.

If you do not subscribe to "The Buck Stops Here" philosophy then you are not a leader, no matter your title and no matter what you call yourself. No so-called leader should be allowed to serve without a demonstrated willingness to accept full responsibility.

What do your subordinates think of you? And how does this effect the way they do their jobs?

Followers mirror their leaders. If you accept accountability and take responsibility so will they take responsibility for those things within the scope of the position in the organization. If you do not take responsibility they are impacted by your betrayal of their trust. How will they respond, by being more or less trustworthy?

Your actions are your values no matter what you say your values are. A leader, in order to be effective, must have credibility. If you say you'll take responsibility and you don't or if you pass the buck down the line, shifting the blame by holding other accountable, you lose credibility.

As a leader your words are your bond. Your credibility, based on your history or dependability, responsibility, and accountability must be taken seriously by friends and foes alike. Your employees, your banker, and your competitors must believe in what you say. As a leader you must be trusted, because you have demonstrated that you are worthy or trust. You must have both the intelligence and the integrity to always provide the correct honest information because leaders who lack credibility based on trust will never gain the influence required to lead.

Effective leaders, those who accept responsibility for their own actions as well as those they lead, who understand that they are accountable for their outcomes achieved, and have credibility - always act with honesty, in word and in deed.

by: Wayne Messick

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