Why Cy Wakeman Believes Personal Accountability is Key to Success

Introduction

Cy Wakeman, New York Times bestselling author and leadership consultant, believes that personal accountability is critical to achieving success in both personal and professional endeavors. According to Wakeman, our unwillingness to take responsibility for our actions leads to unnecessary drama, stress, and conflict, ultimately interfering with our ability to achieve our goals.

In this article, we’ll explore Wakeman’s philosophy on personal accountability and how it relates to success. We’ll examine the benefits of personal accountability, ways to cultivate it, and provide relevant examples to support the importance of this concept.

The Benefits of Personal Accountability

One of the main benefits of personal accountability is that it puts us back in control of our lives. When we take responsibility for our thoughts, actions, and decisions, we no longer view ourselves as victims of circumstance. Instead, we see ourselves as powerful agents of change capable of shaping our own future.

This mindset shift not only increases our sense of self-worth and confidence but also allows us to approach challenges with a solution-focused attitude. Rather than focusing on problems and obstacles, we focus on possible solutions and take action to overcome them, leading to a sense of progress and accomplishment.

Personal accountability also strengthens our relationships. By taking ownership of our mistakes and shortcomings, we become more trustworthy, reliable, and respected by those around us. We also improve our communication skills, as we are more willing to listen and understand others’ perspectives without becoming defensive or blaming.

Cultivating Personal Accountability

Cultivating personal accountability starts with a willingness to take ownership of our thoughts, actions, and decisions. This begins by eliminating blame and shifting the focus towards finding solutions.

Wakeman recommends asking ourselves empowering questions such as “What can I do differently?” and “How can I contribute to a positive outcome?” to help us steer away from a victim mentality and towards a solution-focused mindset.

Another way to cultivate personal accountability is to embrace discomfort. Growth and progress rarely happen inside our comfort zones, and it’s only by facing our fears and discomforts that we can expand our capabilities and achieve our goals.

We can also strengthen our personal accountability by seeking feedback and being open to criticism. By actively seeking out areas for improvement, we are better equipped to recognize our blind spots and work towards becoming better versions of ourselves.

Examples of Personal Accountability in Action

Personal accountability can be seen in action in many different aspects of life, from business to sports and beyond. For example, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is known for taking full responsibility for setbacks and failures in his companies, understanding that his actions set the tone for his team and the company’s success.

In sports, Michael Jordan is often cited as a prime example of personal accountability. Even though he was one of the greatest players of all time, he never stopped improving and took full responsibility for his performance on and off the court.

Finally, in the workplace, personal accountability can lead to increased productivity, morale, and job satisfaction. When individuals take ownership of their roles and responsibilities, they feel more in control of their work environment and are better equipped to collaborate with coworkers and solve problems.

Conclusion

Personal accountability is both a mindset and a skillset that can benefit us in all aspects of life. By taking ownership of our thoughts, actions, and decisions, we increase our sense of self-worth, build stronger relationships, and achieve our goals with a solution-focused mindset. Whether in business, sports, or personal relationships, personal accountability is a critical ingredient for success.