Accountability: Are You Thinking Above or Below the Surface?

When we consider the subject of accountability, we may immediately think about the actions or non-actions we take in pursuit of the results we seek. However, if we care to look further, we'll discover the real root of accountability begins in the mind and more specifically in the thoughts we think. It is here where our actions are influenced and results are determined. Simply put, we can only perform at a level consistent with the level of thinking driving that performance. So, the question we may need to ask ourselves is: "Is the majority of my thinking above or below the surface."

When we look across any body of water, we're really looking at two worlds and two basic types of species -- those who live above the surface and those who live below it. Design, suitability and adaptability are the determining factors as to which world any given species will live and thrive.

By intent and design, we as humans, are meant to live above the surface. It is here where our life-giving oxygen exists and keeps us alive. When we are plunged below, we can survive for a limited amount of time, but eventually we are consumed by an environment in which we don't truly belong. In short, we drown. We can look at our thinking, and where our thoughts belong, in a very similar way.

When we think above the surface, our thoughts are more in line with the environment. They are visible and exposed to the light. When we allow our thinking to slip below the surface, we enter a dark, unseen and sometimes hostile world. Truthfully, we spend some amount of time in both places, but based on our intended design, shouldn't we strive to stay above the surface in our thinking and our associated actions?

Think about the duck or swan for a moment. If viewed from above the surface they appear calm, confident, and even graceful as they glide across the water. But if we could see below the surface at that same moment, we'd see something entirely different. In contrast to the calm demeanor observed on top, there is a whole lot paddling going on just to stay afloat! Can you see how this relates to our thinking and in turn relates to the quality of our accountable actions? A duck is designed for these two different worlds. We are not.

So what does "above the surface" thinking look like in terms of producing a greater level of accountability? Here are four areas that come to mind:

Face the true reality: We need to learn to see things as they are and not as we wish them to be. Facing reality helps foster a higher level of trust through more open communication, acceptance, and meaningful dialogue. We can in confidence state the issue, ask for and over feedback, and hone in on what is working and what isn't. The bare reality may put us at a lower level than we wish to acknowledge, but it is a great place to begin building upward.

Take responsibility for the outcome: The moment we take responsibility for anything we take on a certain ownership and through that ownership have a bigger stake in the outcome. If we want to take possession of the good we also have to own up to the bad and the ugly. It's in the valley where we often get a clearer look at the path up the mountain.

Persist in spite of obstacles: If meaningful growth were easy, everyone would have already obtained it. Part of our accountability is working through, over, or around the inevitable obstacles we are sure to face. Making up our mind that "we will, until" and vocalizing that intention to those around us puts a visible stake in the ground and helps us gain the confidence of those who are watching -- and someone is always watching.

Walk the talk: Nothing happens until somebody does something. Words are powerful, but no matter how well-intentioned they may be, they are no substitute for simply doing. Let us make up our mind from the outset that we will not simply offer our best words, but rather our best efforts. There is learning in the doing and the more we do, the more we learn -- and accountability is a learned skill.

Thinking above the surface builds trust, good reputation, and fosters better relationships in every situation and culture. Thinking below the surface produces the opposite and results in excuses, blaming others, self-deception and ultimately, mediocrity or even failure.

We were made to live above the surface and so are our thoughts. Even if we take the occasional dive now and then, we must remind ourselves that we cannot long survive in such an environment.

About the Author: Terry Crouson is the Owner and Head Coach at Silver Coach Solutions, LLC and is currently doing business as The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit. He is dedicated to helping business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and self-employed professionals find their way by finding their why. He is a highly respected business coach, speaker, facilitator, and community builder. Terry is certified in the Strategic Mindset Process, and is also a DISC Certified Behavioral Consultant.

Guest Article: Can't Find Talent?

Written by, Michelle Knierim of EDSI

The struggle to find talent is especially a challenge in Michigan.  This is because of the high number of technical and skilled trade’s jobs available.  To address some of the issues in finding qualified skilled workers, businesses are turning to three key solutions. These solutions provide ways for businesses to build customized programs that speak directly to the training needs of their current and newly hired workers. 

Here are three key solutions to grow your own talent:

1.      Customized Training

2.      Apprenticeship Programs

3.      On-the-Job Training

1.      Customized training are developed based on the specific needs of your organization, keeping in mind the unique requirements of employees.  For a successful implementation, there needs to be a proven process that utilizes a system that surveys individual skills and identifies the skill needs of employers.  One of the main goals is to minimize the time and cost needed to identify and bridge the skill and knowledge gaps within an organization.  By incorporating your company's processes and procedures into the training, it will increase employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and improve your overall efficiency and productivity. 

2.      Apprenticeship programs are 1-6 year instructional programs designed to develop highly-skilled employees. These programs consist of both on-the-job training under the supervision of a journey level craftsperson or trade professional and academic instruction. If you want to have a registered apprenticeship there are a few requirements that must be met before it is approved by a union and the Department of Labor.  Often, organizations partner with companies who provide technical expertise and turnkey development, administration and management services for the entire apprenticeship.  Organizations also work with companies and educators to validate existing curriculum and develop new curriculum in order to meet the requirements of the program and national training standards. 

3.      On-the-Job Training, also known as OJT, involves the teaching of skills, knowledge and competencies needed to perform a specific job at a workplace. Utilizing an employer’s existing workplace tools, equipment, processes and documentation, the employee is able to gain the skills and knowledge to effectively and efficiently perform his or her job.  There are many organizations that have funds available to offset this cost including local workforce development boards.  For example, companies that utilize On-the-Job Training and candidates from workforce development boards are often reimbursed for up to 50% of an employee’s salary.

All of these programs offer great solutions to organizations looking to upskill their current employee’s skills, or to provide specialized training to get new employees or potential hires up to speed quickly.  There are currently a lot of different local government funds available for companies to utilize to offset costs associated with hiring talent.  Employers can work with local colleges, workforce development boards, and other organizations that have a training budget, grants or other funds available. 

Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI), 313.271.2660, mknierim@edsisolutions.com, www.edsisolutions.com

Get Back to Basics With Your ABCs

"If you don't have a voice that forces you back to basics, you're a dangerous person. Or, to put it another way, you're at risk, and the people with you are at risk." -- Steve Wynn

In today's tech-driven society, there is no shortage of information, suggestions, or opinions. Agreed? Pick any subject, inside or outside of business or occupation and we're likely to find more information than we can reasonably take time to read, much less study. While much of it is helpful and true, much of it is not -- and some of it is downright dangerous to our thinking.

Megatrends author, John Naisbitt says: "We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge." What makes it even more interesting is that he penned those words in 1982 -- long before the rise of the Internet and its infinite search capabilities. If Naisbitt is to be believed, and I think he is, our current connectivity has only added to the noise and the clutter. That noise and that clutter eventually finds its way into our mind and our thoughts and heavily influences our actions and ultimately our results. Simply put, a noisy or cluttered mind can only produce equally noisy or cluttered results.

We're told what to do, what to think, and even why "it" is important to us. There's the rub. There is a difference between being told what to think and being taught how to think. Now while there is nothing wrong with learning and employing the wisdom of others in the pursuit of our goals and dreams, we commit malpractice against ourselves and our business when we allow our own critical thinking skills to wane in favor of the blind acceptance of another's ideas and opinions. Sometimes, we need to get off the superhighway of information and enjoy the simple and far more interesting scenery that comes from reading the more basic or rudimentary signs seen on the back roads. In other words, sometimes we just need to get back to basics -- and it doesn't get much more basic than looking at our ABCs.

With just 26 letters we can form any word in the English language -- simple, complex, and everything in-between. Knowing the basic alphabet and how to put the letters together helps us communicate, and allows others to communicate with us. It forms the language of understanding. I think it also may be a great way for us to return to the basics of business and personal success with a simplified ABC approach. Here's how it works:

Take each letter of the alphabet and come up with a word that starts with that letter and represents an essential element or attribute to your success; however you choose to define it. It may look something like this: A= Attitude, B= Belief, C= Courage, D= Determination, and so it continues right through the letter Z. I suggest making your own personal list and posting it up where you can see it and review it on a daily basis.

You may even want to take one per day and concentrate on that specific attribute to observe its presence or absence in your life. In one month's time, you can work through the entire alphabet and be much closer to actually modeling the behaviors and characteristics you listed as being important to your business and personal success. Once you've worked through this first round of basic ABCs, you can make another list with the additional elements you want to incorporate into your journey.

While it may seem overly simplistic in its approach, working through our ABCs can be a great exercise in reflection, concentration, and critical thinking. Your list is customized to you and your particular needs and desires. This makes it unique and potentially very effective in cutting through the noise and the clutter to remain sharp, focused, and full of the knowledge and information that is most important to your success.

Naturally, as it is in most areas of life, some letters may be more difficult to work with. So, if you come up with any good X and Z words, please share them. Enjoy your alphabet journey.

About the Author: Terry Crouson is the Owner and Head Coach at Silver Coach Solutions, LLC and is currently doing business as The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit. He is dedicated to helping business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and self-employed professionals find their way by finding their why. He is a highly respected business coach, speaker, facilitator, and community builder. Terry is certified in the Strategic Mindset Process, and is also a DISC Certified Behavioral Consultant.