Living in the Upper Loop: Being accountable vs. being the victim

At this week's ProNet general meeting, we were treated to an excellent presentation about the signs and impacts of our behavior, both in our personal and professional lives.  Jane Grossman, a self-described "Catalyst" (love the job description!) with A Sustainable Way, a consultancy focused on creating a competitive advantage, as well as being in collaboration with IMPAQ Accountability Business Solutions, showed us how to recognize when you are accountable for your actions and when you are playing the victim. 

So, first off, how did she describe the meaning of accountability? Using IMPAQ's Personal Accountability model, she first made the distinction between personal and organizational accountability.  Personal accountability was defined by taking action consistent with your desired outcomes.  Organizational accountability was defined as having a working environment where people can count on each other.  The benefits of staying in this "upper loop" are fantastic.  Who out there doesn't want greater success, improved relationships, increased self-confidence, more effective uses of resources and increases in teamwork, trust and morale?

And how do we know when we are in the "lower loop" and playing the victim?  We've all been there - by ignoring an issue, denying that an issue exists, blaming others, rationalizing our behavior, resisting help or just plain hiding somewhere in your bunny slippers.  And how do we begin the process of moving from victim to being accountable?  According to Ms. Grossman, it begins with "the ability, willingness and courage to renew attitudes and behaviors to achieve desired outcomes".  In the business world, this means that teams find ways to contribute to overall success and don't spend time blaming others or tuning out when things don't go their own way.

The first thing to do in getting out of the victim role and becoming accountable is to recognize that you are in a victim loop.  Just like other addictions, recognizing that you have a problem is always the first step.  One of the big steps is about forgiveness.  Ms. Grossman spent a good deal of time discussing that this is a big part of a highly personal process.  I like to say that forgiveness is all about "giving it up" or "letting it go" and this seems to be in congruence with the presentation.  We are entirely too hard on ourselves these days and I think that it's because there is a huge perception that we have so much to lose and there is no room for mistakes.  Sure many of us have made mistakes and paid the consequences but the learning opportunities are what life is all about.  (Just my humble opinion)

If you are looking for a unique, productive method of bringing a dysfunctional team together, I would highly recommend that you check out A Sustainable Way and have Ms. Grossman come in to help break a logjam of decreased productivity, distrusting relationships or lack of success.  You can reach her at 775-849-9755 or janeg@asustainableway.com.  To learn more about IMPAQ, the Personal Accountability model and their extensive strategy and leadership development programs, check out their website at www.impaq.com.