Leadership and Self-Accountability Must Go Hand-In-Hand

We often expect accountability from others but fail to do the same in our own lives. We find reasons, if not excuses, for our failings. When I look back on my life, I think of many times I failed myself and others. To help avoid those outcomes, I love reviewing the “Words from the wise” to help me achieve self-accountability.

A person must have been a great leader and one to emulate when people still talk about them many years after they have left us. That person is none other than the legendary coach, John Wooden. I often refer to his views to this day for the inspiration to be a better coach and person. In every line of business, along with coaching and parenting, his insight is valuable.  

In this divisive world, the teachings of those genuinely worth listening to are critical for maintaining hope in the future. First, coach Wooden always wanted his teams to acknowledge the player who assisted another. One player asked, “But what if they are not looking when I point to them on the court?” He said, “That’s OK; I guarantee I will see it.” A big key to leadership is knowing what s going on around us and recognizing those who most deserve our attention. Following are other inspiring words from Coach Wooden and my take on his insight.

Leadership and Self-Accountability Quotes

1. “People want to believe you are sincerely interested in them as a person. Not just for what they can do for you.” True leaders are not just out for their own success, but care those under them have it too .

2. “Target the things you can control.” Often, time is wasted on things of no real concern to satisfy our egos.

3. “Flexibility is the key to stability.” We must adjust to uncomfortable situations and not get stuck in our ways only.

4. “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” No one side has all the answers even though they come off as if they do.

5. “There is no progress without change, so you must have patience.” Patience is challenging in such a divisive country, but maintaining hope for the correct change is vital.

6. “It’s the journey.” Coming out on top is sweet, but it’s the relationships we build along the way that make it so.

7. “It can be done in a way that’s also helping them develop in other ways that will be meaningful forever.” Empathy and compassion, not hatred and animosity, make a positive impact on the world.

Finally, I save the best for last, something that is long forgotten today, “We can agree to disagree, but we don’t need to be disagreeable.” Unfortunately, we are so far from this nowadays that I am close to losing hope we will be better.