You are a LeaderI like to think that I am a very good driver, if not an expert. Even so, once in a while I miss a red light, I speed. and sometimes even make a wrong turn. Does that mean I should quit driving altogether?

I don’t think so. I need to be aware of these errors and be careful. Similarly, it is not unusual to miss a project deadline. No matter how well we plan, we may still miss a deadline at some point. Should we be afraid to plan because we fear our plans would slip?

Not at all. We have to put in our best effort and plan. Then we publish that plan, track its activities, anticipate slippages, re-plan and continue tracking.

We all have to go through a process of learning before getting it right and we learn best by making mistakes. It’s OK to make mistakes because mistakes pave the way to success. What’s really important is recovering from our mistakes, being in control of the project even when the going gets tough, being confident of getting past the hurdles and most of all, being accountable.

Here’s how:

  • Be Proactive (not reactive) by taking initiatives and converting it into actions.
  • Be Responsible by taking ownership of your actions.
  • Make Decisions without fearing their outcome and trusting your gut.
  • Be Confident of your decisions and your actions.

You are a leader. While it is OK for a leader to make mistakes, it is not expected of a leader to make excuses, point fingers or play the blame game. Even if it is not your fault, it does not matter. You are accountable.

You are accountable for the project that you planned for. You are accountable for your actions, your team’s actions; for everyone and everything in the project, the project that you own… and when you stand up — not to blame but to own — that’s when we see a leader in you.