When things go right, it’s on my team.
When things go wrong, it’s on me.
Success is a team effort, but failure falls pretty squarely on my shoulders.
We all want to share the credit for the wins, but when things fall apart, a lot of leaders are quick to look elsewhere. That’s not how leadership works.
You are the final decision maker. It’s on you.
A few years ago, we bid on a project that involved us taking a data feed from one system and pushing the information to a second system.
On paper, it was supposed to take about 100 hours.
I asked the client for data samples, we discussed a high-level plan, and we moved forward.
Then the client started sending us batch after batch of new data, each one adding layers of complexity and changing the scope entirely. What was supposed to be a quick win turned into a 500-hour nightmare, months past the deadline, and a significant loss for the company.
Did I blame my team for the misquote? Nope. They did what they were asked and then some.
The responsibility for missing the mark wasn’t theirs. It was mine.
When you’re a leader, you don’t get to divide the credit and dodge the blame. When things go right, you praise your team. When they go wrong, you own it because that’s the deal.
You lead, you take the fall.
(This is not to say accountability doesn’t matter, but generally speaking, the leader sets the direction and the team follows)
That’s the reality of leadership. And if you’re not willing to take the hit when things fall apart, you’re not ready for the responsibility that comes with the role.
It’s a big reason why they say being number one is the loneliest number.
