Like millions of others I couldn’t wait to watch Tiger Woods last Friday as he attempted to explain and apologize for his actions.  Nearly 15 minutes long, the presentation appeared to anyone familiar with 12 step programs or therapy a clear sign that Tiger had begun the long process of coming to grips with a new realistic insight into himself and his need to make deep and fundamental changes to achieve his goals of being a man of superior character and integrity as well as a brilliant golfer.  While some dismissed his statement as a cover for less virtuous aims, I say to the naysayers—get thee to therapy yourself.  Such a hard stance to such an enormous step shows a lack of empathy, lack of understanding of processes like therapy, and a lack of realism about how every day people really are coming to grips with new self revelations and moving forward with their lives. 

In today’s world of work it is hard to think of a similar deep admission of real genuine accountability.   

Tiger’s work will mean more work for his wife, family and friends.  Some may drift away or not stay the course with him.  Others will go with his new flow and will have to act differently if his journey is to be successful.  And so will be the case at Citibank or Toyota or in any workplace when and if individuals take real accountability.  Top executives  apologizing for mistakes or wrong turns means changing work patterns for all—both the culture at large which is often the cause of poor judgements and individual behaviors as well.  But how much easier it would be to get people to commit to these needed changes if those in positions of authority or someone at the lowest rung of the organization took full and unconditional responsibility as Tiger has.

Most of what pass for apologies are explanations of what and why somethting happened with the implication that really the person did the best they could given the circumstances and if you goofs out there understood the situation you would have done the same thing or worse.  Sometimes this is absolutely correct.  But in many cases, real mistakes in tactics, in strategy, in approaches to achieve one or another goals was misguided or plain wrong and led to consequences that impacted many people terribly.  When there is ownership of an outcome, when there is clarity that one failed her responsibilities or his job and no one else is to blame, progress can begin.  Accountability breeds a willingness in others to take their share of responsibility and move forward in new directions.  A half hearted or non apology or admission of responsibility does nothing but breed more cynicism and lack of energy to change. 

Who wants to go first?  Ok, here goes.  I, Pat Gill Webber, take complete responsibility for not writing a blog that is attracting hundreds of new readers.  It is not because people are too dumb to understand my blog, too busy, or disinterested in the workplace.  It is because they haven’t heard of my blog (my fault), haven’t taken the time to read it because it gives them new insights or perspective(if the workplace needs it they will come at some point).  Now, wouldn’t you like to help me fix that?  Bet that got someone interested in helping me—the flip side—-a defense of my fabulous blog wouldn’t have attracted a single new reader.

Now, what is going wrong at your workplace that is absolutely your fault?  Look at it, own it, take responsibility and accountability and say it.  Soon after watch others get involved in a new route forward.  Your accountability leverages other’s action.   Who wants to go next?