The Magic of 100/0

This month in our Extraordinary Leader program we have been zooming in on the topic of communication. It is one of those business and life skills that are easy to talk about, and yet difficult to perfect. One topic that always takes center stage is how to navigate difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable conversations. As coaches, we are often asked how to best have them, especially when there is tension in a relationship. Isn’t it interesting that when tension is present in a relationship, communication challenges are lurking close by, both as part of the cause and part of the solution?

One of our pillars of having these important conversations is to take full ownership. Let’s clarify—of your part. Not the other person’s part, your part. And you always have a part. It reminds me of the two most powerful and magical numbers of taking accountability: 100/0.

I don’t recall where I first heard them, but they have stuck with me for many years. Simply put, it signifies “Take one hundred percent accountability, with zero excuses.” It means owning our contributions and our mistakes. It means being up front with our intentions and our communication. It means living up to standards and living by values. It means role modeling what we expect. It means complete ownership. Wow! What is possible in a work relationship, a team, a partnership, a marriage, an organization, a world, where everyone owns their part, with no excuses?

It Always Starts with Us!

Recently I have had the opportunity to coach a few leaders who are experiencing clashes with other leaders at work. They can’t seem to get along and/or work together effectively. There is a lot of blaming going on, and there is a foundation of scorekeeping. The need to be right clouds every interaction. Nobody is winning and the tension continues to escalate. Have you ever been there?

My first offering is the magical 100/0. When we take accountability for our role in any challenge or problem, we can own our part—our part of the problem, and our part of the solution. We can then stop playing the victim to all the outside influences that are causing our grief. Think of the drama that we create by playing the victim. Think of where our energy is when we play the victim. If we are a leader of others and we play the victim, what messages are we sending? Change starts with us.

Accepting Accountability Is Empowering!

In terms of self-leadership, taking accountability means deciding to live the life you want to live, be the person you want to be, the leader you want to be, and get the results you want to get. Last month in our blog, Kevin mentioned a brilliant book that we read last year from author Gay Hendricks entitled “The Big Leap”. One of the questions that Mr. Hendricks invites for consideration is all about 100/0:

“Am I willing to feel good and have my life go well all the time?”

What a radical question. Of course, most of us would give a resounding “yes” as our answer. Of course we are willing for our life to go well. Yet if we have the courage to enter the depth of this question, we find our part. And our part is accountability. Willingness invites accountability. That is where our part begins.  100/0!

When we decide to take absolute accountability, think about how our language changes. Instead of using words like "I should", "I am supposed to", "I have to", or "I will try", we think and talk and act using words like "I can", "I will", "I have decided", or "I get to".

In a club or organization, being accountable means understanding and owning your part in making the organization successful. Accountability in leadership goes beyond merely admitting to mistakes. It involves a proactive approach to one’s duties, a commitment to standards, and a dedication to achieving results. An accountable leader is someone who takes ownership of their decisions, accepts the consequences, and works to rectify any errors. They don’t shift blame or avoid responsibility but instead, view accountability as a key component of their leadership identity. They not only lead by example but also empower others to rise to their fullest potential. When everyone in the organization decides to do this, extraordinary results are possible.

Taking one hundred percent accountability as both personally and as a leader can have profound effects on personal growth, team dynamics, and overall success. When an individual takes full responsibility for their actions, decisions, and outcomes, it fosters a culture of trust, integrity, and respect. It nurtures resilience and encourages continuous improvement. It creates results. Difficult conversations aren’t so difficult, and we tend to need to have fewer of them. Relationships have less tension, in fact, they flourish. We move from “have to” to “get to” in every area of life. Taking one hundred percent accountability is not just about owning the difficult stuff of life. It’s about every part of life—our dreams, our goals, and our daily habits we develop to move toward a fulfilling life.

Living 100/0

Where in your life or leadership do you need to practice 100/0?
What conversation do you need to have?
Who have you been meaning to acknowledge, but haven’t found time?
What are you most afraid of?
What progress are you making towards your goals this year?
What is a seemingly impossible goal you'd love to commit to for the end of 2024?
In what ways can you invite others to explore 100/0?
Imagine your world with a foundation of 100/0!