Fierce Practice #3

Fierce Practice #3: From Holding People Accountable to Modeling Accountability and Holding People Able.

Again the opening quote used by Scott is priceless and as entertaining as her writing style: “It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about a serious problem and decide I must tell the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I AM the Pope” (Pope John XXIII). Scott talks about leaders influencing one conversation at time. “You are the culture. I am the culture. And each of us shapes that culture each time we walk into a room, pick up the phone, send an e-mail,” says Scott. If you want to spot the “tells,” look at people playing not to lose instead of playing to win; a lack of productivity; bitterness toward coworkers; and so much more. Leaders who hold themselves accountable spread the accountability contagion through their organizations. Soon others around you who are “able” become infected with accountability. As with everything, you get what you give. Note that on pages 138-141 Scott nicely reviews her now famous Mineral Rights conversations to discuss difficult issues. Highly recommend reading this section closely.