Accountability isn’t a concept we just preach to our teams—it’s something we have to live out, day in and day out. And sometimes, it’s messy. It means owning up to our mistakes, having hard conversations, and being willing to hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of others.
I recently had one of those moments. You know, the kind where your own behavior comes under the microscope, and you realize you’ve been falling short. It wasn’t fun, and it sure as hell wasn’t comfortable, but it was a turning point—one that reminded me just how important accountability is in leadership.
Brandon and I talked about this on the podcast, and it started with a real, unfiltered moment between the two of us. I had been dropping the ball on some commitments. In our company, we use a project management tool to track tasks, deadlines, and progress. We’ve set clear standards for how we use it—things like keeping deadlines current, responding promptly to communication, and making proactive updates when things change. These aren’t just suggestions; they’re the expectations we’ve all agreed to as a team.
But I wasn’t holding up my end. Deadlines were slipping past due, updates weren’t happening, and communication on my part had been slow—or nonexistent. And it wasn’t just a one-off situation; it had become a pattern.
A Hard Look in the Mirror
Brandon, in true leadership fashion, didn’t let it slide. He pulled me aside—well, technically, we were sitting in a hotel hot tub—and started a conversation. He didn’t come at me with anger or frustration. He just laid it out: I wasn’t living up to the standards we’d set, and my actions were creating ripple effects.
Wayne, one of our team leaders, was feeling stuck and frustrated. He couldn’t rely on me to provide the information or updates he needed to move things forward. And beyond Wayne, the whole team could see it. My behavior was sending a message, loud and clear: The rules don’t apply to me.
Let me tell you, sitting in that hot tub, hearing those words, I felt small. Embarrassed. Ashamed, even. Not because Brandon was harsh—he wasn’t—but because he was right. And deep down, I already knew it.
The Power of Alignment
This wasn’t just about missed deadlines or incomplete tasks. It was about our core values—the very foundation of how we operate as a company. We talk a lot about integrity, respect, and trust. Integrity means doing what you say you’re going to do. Respect means treating others—teammates, clients, everyone—with consideration and kindness. Trust is earned through consistent, reliable actions.
I wasn’t aligned with any of those in this situation. And here’s the thing: as leaders, if we don’t embody the values we expect from our teams, we create dissonance. It’s the whole do as I say, not as I do problem. And trust me, people notice.
Choosing Accountability
After that conversation, I had a choice to make. I could let the embarrassment simmer, make excuses, and keep doing what I was doing. Or I could own it, fix it, and commit to doing better—not just for Wayne, not just for Brandon, but for the entire team.
I went back to my hotel room, opened up my laptop, and started cleaning up the mess. I updated deadlines, responded to messages, and made sure everything was back on track. What I had been avoiding for weeks—what had felt like this massive, overwhelming task—ended up taking less than an hour.
It was a humbling realization. I’d let my own narrative—I’m too busy, I’ll get to it later, this isn’t a priority right now—create a bigger problem than the actual work itself.
But the work didn’t stop there. The next step was circling back with Wayne to acknowledge what had happened, to apologize, and to rebuild trust. Because accountability isn’t just about fixing the mistake; it’s about repairing the relationships that were impacted along the way.
Lessons from the Hot Tub
This whole experience reminded me of a few key lessons about accountability in leadership:
- Core Values Aren’t Just Words
If you’re going to have core values as a company, they need to mean something. They need to guide decisions, actions, and behavior—from the top down. - Set Clear Standards
People can’t be held accountable to what they don’t understand. Be crystal clear about the expectations, processes, and commitments that matter. - Deal with Issues Quickly
Avoiding problems doesn’t make them go away. It just lets them fester. Address issues as soon as you see them—before they snowball into something bigger. - Follow Through
Apologies are good, but action is better. Don’t just say you’re sorry—prove it by doing the work and making sure it doesn’t happen again. - Accountability Is a Team Effort
Everyone, from the newest hire to the owner of the company, needs to be held to the same standards. No exceptions.
Moving Forward
Leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being willing to face your flaws, own your mistakes, and make the changes needed to grow. It’s about having the humility to say, “I got this wrong,” and the courage to ask, “How can I make it right?”
For me, this was a tough but necessary reminder that leadership starts with self-accountability. If I want my team to trust me, follow me, and give their best, I have to model that behavior every day.
So here’s my challenge to you: take a hard look at your own leadership. Where are you falling short? What stories are you telling yourself to justify it? And what’s one thing you can do today to get back in alignment with your values?
It’s not easy, and it’s not always comfortable. But it’s worth it. Because at the end of the day, accountability isn’t about what you demand from others—it’s about what you demand from yourself.
If you want to listen to the actual episode with Brandon and me, check it out here:
Chris Nordyke
Chris Nordyke is the co-Founder and President of Floodlight Consulting Group and Floodlight Sales Partners. Chris speaks throughout the year at industry events, and conducts live workshops focused on commercial sales and ops, customer experience strategy and building enterprise value. He is also the co-Host of the Head Heart & Boots podcast, a popular restoration industry show. For more information on Floodlight’s fractional sales management solution, visit https://www.floodlightgrp.com/
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