Quick take:
I just read an article that talked about teaching business owners the “Language of Accountability.” Here’s the quote:
“One focus of HG’s Leadership Development seminars is teaching women the Language of Accountability, which is meant to minimize drama, excuses, explanations and justifications.”
Exactly! When a small business owner comes to me for mentoring I often hear statements that are one of those four things. Here are a few I’ve heard in the past 3 months.
- I’m distracted by the upcoming holidays, so can I reschedule my 3 months of coaching until February? (This was asked in October)
- I don’t mean to be a whimp about marketing, but my mother never liked anything I ever did.
- I know I always forget to call in when I’m supposed to but usually my dog is barking.
Can you see that each of those statements fits into either drama, excuses, explanations, or justifications? Watch your language, and watch your profits improve. Just sayin…..
Good post. Although it is rediculous to the receiver, the explanation is perfectly logical to the person giving the excuse. Sa you say it is the pattern that says it all.
Years ago … more than I care to remember (admit), I sold life insurance. I heard this story about objections.
A man went to his neighbor and asked to borrow his lawn mower. The neighbor replied that he could not lend it to him because his wife was sick. The man asked what that had to do with lending him the mower. The response, “When I don’t want to do something, one excuse is as good as another.”
Jeff,
That’s about the truth! You gave me a good laugh, thanks.
Sue
I bet you have just about heard it all:) This is such a great reminder that we have to not only be accountable to ourselves, but also to our clients, family, friends and everyone else we impact. No drama. No excuses. No justifications. Love it!
Kristina,
It’s a great way to tell if someone is serious or just playing around the edges.
Sue
Sue, your post and then Tiffany’s comments remind me of that old expression about half of succeeding in life is just showing up!
OMG, Sue! Love it! I have to admit that I chuckled at reading those statements above. It’s hard to believe people would make up excuses like that, but I know that they do.
Sometimes life does get in the way with illness, emergencies, and tragedies, but if you have a pattern of “not showing up” in your business, you definitely need some accountability and a long hard look at your committment to being in business.
Hi Tiffany,
Yes, it is hard to believe – but true, every single one of them. That “pattern of not showing up” is the issue.
Sue