We business owners wear multiple hats, but the most crucial one is that of an accountable leader. Accountability - owning up to mistakes, following through on commitments and setting the standard for integrity - this is what separates great leaders from those who are just simply holding a title. Without it, trust starts to fade, your team starts to lose motivation, which leads to your business struggling. The worst part? You might not even notice until it’s too late or the damage has already begun to take its toll.

Accountability in leadership means being transparent about both successes and failures. Your team feels more engaged and trusted when you share what’s going on in general because only sharing the good and leaving out the struggles not only creates a false sense of reality but also distances you from the people who are working alongside you. Yes, it does require courage to acknowledge when things don’t go as planned, but you have to remember, these are the people you have chosen to go on this journey with you and so therefore, they deserve honesty, clarity, and the discipline to take corrective action. More than just a personal trait, it’s a culture that must be embedded within your business. Holding yourself accountable inspires the same from your team and creates an environment where responsibility isn’t avoided but accepted.