Comments on: Nothing Should Trump Personal Accountability

By: Heidi Kraft

Heidi Kraft — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 04:39:54 +0000

Great article Trish. I couldn’t agree with you more. Blaming others is not a quick path to success. People catch on when we’re not personally accountable. And now more than ever employees need to be accountable for their own careers and success. I am a coach myself – an executive coach. And what I’m very clear on with the clients that I work with is that my role is to hold the vision and potential for what they can be and are becoming, support them along the way, and hold them accountable for what they want to achieve. People succeed more quickly when they make their choices based on what they want – not what others tell them to do.

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:43:15 +0000

Thanks to each of you whether you agree with me or disagree. We always learn more when we share our ideas and reasoning.
@Tracy- thanks for pointing out that Sven did apologize. I neglected to mention that and I’m sure the passion of the moment made his reaction what it was.

@Arthur- I’m with you on not living in the past. It won’t change the outcome, will it?

@Barry- Wow, hit a nerve. Just teasing. I’m glad to hear the other side. And, while I actually agree with most of what you said, I do disagree on the point that Sven did not have time to analyze or think about his situation. In the video, it clearly shows that he moved to the outer lane (where he knew he should have been). To me, this demonstrates that he did think about it. Thanks for sparking the debate.

@Krista- Good point you make about decisions we’re faced with not being as clear cut as when we are children.

@Frank- Thanks for weighing in my friend.

@Karin- So glad you commented. Thank you.

@Kevin- Quote of the week “The rational be damned.”. Brilliant!

@Joan- So true, you can’t decide to follow someone and then complain where they took you. Thanks for sharing that.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:32:58 +0000

I tend to have my own drive and intelligence about things. But I’ve learned my “mama’s and mangers” often trump me in experience. And that with managers, if you do a good job for them, they sincerely care. I learned this when I made a move at Dell that cost me my career. I took a promotion that my manager advised me against, and it was my downfall. I’m sorry, but I will listen to my managers and coaches.

I guess if it’s that much instinctly against the game or what’s right, I feel instinct is always right and choose to walk in integrity/by the bible. If that’s the case, you hope to have time to spend in a “fierce conversation.” Unfortunately, in this case, there was no time. He chose to listen to his coach who should’ve known better if he is a good coach. Since he didn’t, he should simply be fired. Hopefully, this guy will have another chance with a coach that trumps him in experience. Maybe that’s the key- can coaches truly trump an Olympian athelete? If not, then I guess the atheletes do need to have some independent thought…

By: Joan Ginsberg

Joan Ginsberg — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:29:56 +0000

I’m with you on this one, Trish. These athletes may have been listening to their coach for years and years – but THAT was their choice, too. You can’t decide to follow someone, and then complain where they took you.

No, it’s not always clear-cut what the path should be, but don’t blame others when you ultimately choose with path to take.

By: Kevin W. Grossman

Kevin W. Grossman — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:14:52 +0000

I a little torn, because I agree somewhat with Barry’s and Karin’s comments, but you’re right – Sven was ultimately responsible.

Whether it’s on the ice in competition or in the cubicle at the workplace — smart, bold decision-making comes from the emotional brain reacting to millions of computations based on experience and past mistakes.

The rational be damned.

He knew he what he should’ve done, regardless of the coach’s call.