QBQ! Quicknote - Job Ownership and True Organizational Leaders  |
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 Being a new employee can be confusing, especially in a fast-paced and high-stress industry like the mortgage business. Sarah didn't complete and turn in the "right" paperwork to the payroll department. Her first payday rolled around and - no check. Ouch. The director of the field unit caught wind of this problem and called the home office only to be asked, "Who made the mistake?" Upon hearing that, the director responded with this simple yet powerful statement: "Well, if it gets Sarah her check, then I did!" "Who dropped the ball?" - does it matter? Not to leaders - at all levels - who recognize this truth: All problems are in the past, solutions are now. Leaders don't care whodunnit, they care about moving forward by solving the problems, removing the obstacles, clearing the hurdles. Do you have finger-pointing in your organization? You probably do since it was once written, "Where two or more are gathered together, there also shall be blame!" It's easy to see that questions like "Who dropped the ball?" and "Who made the mistake?" are all about blame. But what about these? "Who's going to clarify my job?" "Who's going to fix the problem?" "Who's going to give us the vision?"  These are also a form of blame because they're essentially saying, "I will externalize - or blame outside forces, people, and events - for my results and station in life." And even if questions like these feel justified, the fact is they just don't get us anywhere. Taking ownership, like the director in our story, is a far better approach. Ownership is a word we hear a lot, but let's define it: A decision to fix the problem and no longer affix the blame. Walking through the door each day and saying "I own this place!" sure would be a fun way to start the day, wouldn't it? Can you visualize the caring, commitment, creativity, and camaraderie that would result from this type of leadership thinking? If nothing else, it'd break down barriers, build teams, increase our effectiveness - and get rid of the "We/They" mentality so prevalent in most organizations. One field sales force of hundreds has affectionately labeled their headquarters with this name: The Sales Prevention Club! Think about that one for a moment or two. When we stop playing the Blame Game the real fun begins. So let's not waste any more time and energy affixing blame and perpetuating a "We/They" mentality. Let's each of us instead practice personal accountability today by asking these QBQ!s: "What can I do today to contribute?" and "How can I fix the problem?" Remember, I own this place! John G. Miller Author of QBQ! and Flipping the Switch -------------------------------------------------------------------  QBQ! QuickNotes may be forwarded by email to others or printed in their entirety with credit given for personal and group use. Copyright QBQ, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved. Host a QBQ! event at your organization and start making personal accountability a core cultural value. Click here for more information or give us a call today at 1-866-988-RAIN - we'd love to hear from you! Learn more about Personal Accountability and the QBQ! at our Personal Accountability at Work website Visit the QBQ! QuickNotes Archives Personal Accountability should be an important part of every organizational culture. Unfortunately though a culture of personal accountability is often times eroded and replaced by a destructive culture characterized by negativity, blame shifting, finger pointing, and poor employee morale. QBQ! The Question Behind The Question seeks to eliminate this noxious culture and replace it with one where individuals take responsibility for their actions and ask themselves what they as individuals can do to help the organization succeed and prosper. For more information about how you can create a culture of personal accountability in your organization give us a shout! 1-866-988-RAIN   |
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