QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life

by John G. Miller

Here’s an integrity test for anyone who’s part of an organization: Does what we say about our organization while we’re at work match what we say at home? If it’s positive at work and negative a few hours later at home, we have a choice to make. Here’s an idea we should all consider: Believe or leave. I don’t mean for this statement to sound harsh. But if your organization is no longer a vehicle to help you reach your life goals, why stay? This is not to say we must completely agree with every initiative our organization puts forth or every decision management makes. Neither does it mean we shouldn’t ever challenge the status quo. Rather, since we choose where we work, wouldn’t it be best to believe in that institution, its mission and values and what it stands for in the marketplace? And if we don’t (or can’t), wouldn’t it be better to move on to one where we can? Too many people stay in positions that are a bad fit for them: They’re unhappy and their personal goals are not being fulfilled. This serves no one. Part of personal accountability is answering the integrity test question honestly. Life is simply too short not to.