A Culture of Accountability: Trashing the Disposable Mindset
In today’s world, so many products are made for us to use once and throw away.
Knowing we’ll eventually dispose of something diminishes its value. We don’t make space for it in our minds. We don’t plan for it to fit into our future.
If we allow that same disposable mindset to creep into our teams, it can invite short-sighted thinking. In that scenario, we end up treating every challenge like it’s someone else’s problem. And soon, no one wants to take responsibility for the hard stuff.
We’ve learned a lot from our disposable culture. We know it piles up fast. We know there is no “away”. We know all that stuff we toss doesn’t just disappear.
Those company issues we dismiss today might be out of sight and out of mind for now—but there’s a good chance we’ll be forced to deal with them later. And by then? Well, let’s just say… it’s better to tackle our problems when they’re fresh.
As leaders, we have the power to create a culture of permanence by taking action and personal accountability, showing our team that we’re in it for the long haul.
By connecting your team to your long-term vision and mission, you encourage everyone to confront the hard stuff and solve problems with lasting positive impact.
When we teach our teams that what we do now directly influences our future success—we make the organization a better place, for ourselves and for those who inherit it next.
So, is your mindset disposable or are you creating leaders who take personal accountability and ownership for where you’re headed?
Jason V. Barger is a globally celebrated keynote speaker, leadership coach and author of Thermostat Cultures, Step Back from the Baggage Claim and ReMember. He is founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting, a Columbus-based company that works with businesses and organizations worldwide. Connect via email at jason@JasonVBarger.com or on social media at @JasonVBarger.
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