Larry Chiang gets mentored by the best and the brightest. He helps you peek into some of the best business minds with the freshest thoughts. This latest guest-post is from Sam Silverstein who wrote, “No More Excuses”.
Edited By Larry Chiang
By Sam Silverstein
Some people achieve extraordinary things in life; others do not. The difference between the two groups lies in accountability.
True story: Early in the Minnesota Twins 2009 exhibition season, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire discovered a note on his desk from Justin Morneau, his star first baseman. It read: “Gardy: I forgot to run sprints after the workouts yesterday; I am fining myself.” Next to the note was a hundred-dollar bill.
Was Justin Morneau accountable because he was a superstar, or was he a superstar because he was accountable?
No More Excuses is a way of looking at the world—a standard to which we hold ourselves and others accountable. It’s a strategy for life and work that attracts others to us, because accountability is a universal trait of admired people.
Accountability is not a consequence.
Accountability is your competitive advantage.
Many professionals avoid accepting personal accountability for failures while readily accepting credit for successes. But those who achieve truly great things in life know that true accountability makes all the difference between success and failure—on both a personal and organizational level. Based on interviews with over fifty successful masters of the art of accountability—including academics, Fortune 500 CEOs, and Hall of Fame athletes—No More Excuses identifies the five accountabilities that all truly successful people and organizations share. These principles and traits are the common currency of successful individuals and businesses across virtually every industry and culture.
It’s not just about standing up when something goes wrong. To make accountability your competitive advantage you need to know what you are accountable for and strategically build your business and your life.
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Sam Silverstein, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), is a member of the National Speakers Association and past president of NSA. He is an international accountability and leadership expert.
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If you liked this, you may also check:
 Larry’s mentor Mark McCormack wrote this in 1983. |
This post was edited by Larry Chiang. If he missed something, email larry @larrychiang dot com and include your cell in the subject line.
Larry Chiang is a one hit wonder in business, a high school hero college zero in sports and is illegitimately write a sequel to a book he didn’t write. But what is weird is that he has testified before Congress and the World Bank, and starred in a video game.
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Larry speaks on stuff they don't teach in B-school to help you get street smart in doing business. In college, he started a business that helps college students with their FICO score. He loves entrepreneurs, Ben and Jerry's ice cream and after parties. You can reach him at:
