As leaders we know how important it is to track results. Without results, we have no business. What I know to be true is to get, and keep the “ball rolling” we need the right kind of action -- action that drives results. To be clear, I’m not referring to our people being busy -- or looking busy, but rather, are they doing the right actions that drive results? For example, we have metrics—take sales, we measure sales results. Obviously we need new business, growing market share etc., but, they don’t necessarily drive success -- they only measure results. What we must have is accountability that drives results. Said another way, when coaching your people, and when reviewing their list [...]

As a leader, we wear many hats. After all the buck stops...well you know where. Recently, I had a conversation with a young man who just graduated from high school. He was inquiring about the leader's role. Not so much of the day-to-day functions, but "big picture" (his words) I went on to describe as best as I could the "big picture" for him. Leaders are people developers, change agents, decision makers, problem solvers, visionaries, culture protectors, strategy developers, coaches, communicators, talent recruiters, conflict managers, team builders...and well I'll stop there. He said to me,  "Wow, that is a ton of things you have to do!" The Leader has his/her plate full with responsibility. Yes the buck stops with us.  [...]