Have you ever felt powerless? I know I have times like this and I have found through trial and error that the trick is take ownership and hold myself accountable, rather than hold other people accountable for the situations arise.
The Ladder of Accountability is a great tool to use when you are dealing with an issue, challenge or striving to achieve a goal. It consists of eight levels of accountability. The top four rungs on the ladder describe a stance focused on movement toward the future, and there is an acceptance of personal responsibility which creates a feeling of empowerment. The bottom four rungs describe a stance generally focused on the past or avoiding discomfort in the present. There is a sense of being a victim and feeling powerless. Let's look at each of the different levels of the ladder in further detail.
- Unaware: These are the people who have no self awareness of the problem.
- Blame/Complain: The default response of these people is to point the finger at others as to why their goals are not being achieved, or their responsibilities are not being met.
- Making excuses: These people make excuses such as "I don’t have enough time" as to the reason they are not achieving what they set out to do.
- Wait and hope: These are the people who wait and hope for miracles and successes to happen in their lives without putting in the effort to go out and get it done.
- Acknowledging reality: People at this level have a black and white perspective of the situation, and realise there are tasks that need to get done and that they have a responsibility to complete their part.
- I own it: Having acknowledged the reality of the situation, these people now get to decide if they are going to fall back down the ladder or take ownership of the problem which is the key, and then choose to move forward by creating solutions.
- Seeking solutions: The next step these people take is to brainstorm and start thinking of solutions which allow them to achieve their goal. It is important to take the time to think of different possible solutions as there is often more than one way to make it happen.
- Make it happen: Now that these people own it, and they have come up with solutions, it is time to put their solutions into action and literally achieve their goals.
People who live their life in the top rungs of the ladder go out of their way to take ownership of their problems and the situations they face in their life. By owing it they have chosen to be responsible for it.
I acknowledge this is easier said than done. Often there are feelings of anxiousness and perhaps a sense of unease when we challenge what is familiar to us, or feel we have been wronged. Being open and willing to challenge our familiarity can positively affect our ability to change our circumstances. Choosing the highest step on the ladder empowers you to "make it happen" and "make it happen" people know that things happen because of them, not to them.
I encourage you to utilise the Ladder of Accountability the next time you are feeling powerless, and to consciously choose the rung on the ladder that you wish to hold onto.
