For years, I confused authority with leadership.
I thought if I had the title, I had the right to lead. If I had the position, people would follow. If I had the authority, I had earned the accountability that came with it.
I was wrong about all of it.
Real leadership—the kind that actually moves people and creates change—has almost nothing to do with authority. And accountability isn't something that's given to you with a title. It's something you choose, every single day, regardless of what your business card says.
The Authority Trap
Early in my career, I chased authority like it was the answer to everything.
I wanted the corner office. The impressive title. The ability to make decisions without asking permission.
And you know what I discovered?
Authority without accountability is empty. It's a costume without a character. You can make decisions, but nobody trusts them. You can give orders, but nobody follows them with conviction.
Because authority is given. But trust is earned.
The Accountability Framework
Since my awakening, I've developed a framework for accountability:
1. Own the Outcome, Not Just the Action
Accountability means owning outcomes—good and bad. When the team succeeds, you share credit. When the team fails, you take responsibility.
2. Make Commitments, Not Promises
Promises are about intention. Commitments are about action.
3. Create Accountability Structures
Individual accountability is necessary but not sufficient. You need systems that make accountability visible and consistent.
4. Model the Behavior
You can't demand accountability from others if you're not demonstrating it yourself.
Authority Reimagined
Here's what I've learned about authority:
Authority is borrowed, not owned. Every bit of authority you have was given to you by someone else.
Authority follows trust. The most effective leaders have far more influence than their titles would suggest.
Authority is a tool, not a goal. It's useful for removing obstacles and creating space for others to do their best work.
This journey from authority to accountability has been one of the most important of my life. I'm still learning, still growing, still failing forward.
