Well, Which Is It?

Words: Corey Adams

We have tons of gray areas in construction. Possibly only outnumbered by the fine lines we walk. Every day you can feel yourself stepping out on that tightrope where one false move could send you plummeting 50 stories back down to reality. There is one thing that can help us push to the other side safely: accountability.

There are two types of accountability in play in our business lives. They are intertwined to the extent of the word. The first being self-accountability, and the second is holding others accountable.

Many business owners and management understand and regurgitate the accountability of others on demand. The problem is without self-accountability, we can never fully be capable of holding others accountable around us. It is an intricate dance in the game we all play.

The twist is that this article is not about accountability only. What happens when something goes sideways and it is time to pay the fiddler? That is where we can test our personal accountability, and the self-accountability of others.

Every time in my career something has missed the mark, the first question others ask, and frankly I now ask myself, is why? What made this happen? How did it happen? Any way you phrase it, it boils down to why.

The response I tell myself or others tell me paints a picture of the person I am dealing with. Is it a reason or an excuse?

A reason is a bonafide cause that either could have been prevented, stopped, or managed around. In a nutshell, a reason is something that can be corrected. Reasons are what drive policies, protocols, and progression. A reason is something tangible that we can deal with. It, and only it, should be the acceptable answer to accountability.

An excuse, on the other hand, is just that: an excuse. It usually is delivered in a way to pass blame or cloud the situation to make it seem it was out of the person’s control. This is a quintessential lack of accountability. “There was nothing we could do.” “It was out of my control.” Insert every other excuse you have heard. They all lack self-accountability.

As a management style, I am much easier to deal with if you come to me with a reason. If you come with an excuse, we are going to have a longer talk. Be upfront with yourself when asking why, and demand that the people you are holding accountable do the same.

We have all heard the line “the dog ate my homework.” The little kid trying to find an excuse why his homework isn’t done. The reason it isn’t done is that the kid did not manage his time well or prioritize the homework the night before. If I were the teacher, I could work with a kid who gives me the reason. That kid is trainable, growable, and destined for success. The kid giving the excuse might be better suited for another class, or in our case, another company.

The separation of reasons and excuses is just another fine line we walk. We have to be honest with ourselves and give reasons for our failures. If we choose to give ourselves excuses, how can we keep a straight face while trying to hold others accountable?

The next time you are faced with a tough situation, ask yourself and those who were accountable why. Listen to the response. Then ask yourself, which is it? A reason or an excuse.

Well, Which Is It?

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