Accountability the first brick of success

Accountability: The First Brick of Success

Posted by John G. Miller

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I love this brick. I paid $10 for it in 1982.

It came from the Anaconda Mining Company smokestack in Great Falls, Montana. The “Great Stack,” as it was called, was built in 1908 and was 585 feet tall—quite a feat for the times. Karen and I were lucky enough to be living in Great Falls in September 1982 when a demolition crew detonated charges to bring it down while the whole city watched.
But it didn’t go quite as planned. This is how the Great Falls Tribune described the moment:

“The Great Falls smokestack died slowly and defiantly Sept. 18, 1982, as thousands of onlookers lined up to watch its public execution. Instead of a quick death, the landmark was gut-shot and a splinter comprised of about one-third of the structure stubbornly held together to continue dominating the skyline—forcing demolition workers to deliver a coup-de-grace seven hours later.”

Watch less than one minute (2:49-3:43) of this 1992 TV documentary to see exactly what Karen and I saw that day so long ago!

Bottom line, the Great Falls Great Stack didn’t crumble as expected. It must have been built right.
I believe that my favorite brick and the mighty structure it came from—and how strong it stood that September day—is a metaphor for what successful living looks like.

Question: What “bricks” are needed for successful living?

One might argue that there are many, but I choose to believe the cornerstone is PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY. How easy it would be to crumble under the weight of life without PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
Seriously, how strong—how long—could we stand if we blamed, played victim, felt entitled, and procrastinated our way through life???
And I’m not the only one who feels this way.
I recently keynoted the annual Meineke franchisee convention. When the President, Paul Clayton—former Jamba Juice CEO and longtime Burger King executive—and I first spoke by phone, he asked, “John, since I haven’t read your QBQ! book yet, how would you sum up your message?”
I said, “Paul, six words: No excuses. I own the result.”
He responded, “You’re hired.”
Paul is a wise man. No, not because he booked me to speak to his fine people, but because he knows that running a business is hard work. Just like holding down a job, managing people, volunteering, building/maintaining relationships, keeping physically fit, staying financially sound, being an outstanding parent working to raise great kids, and selling anything.
This is life and nobody said life is easy.
How can we do life and do it well without PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY? When the explosive winds of change come, along with the frustration, disappointment, pain, and heartache that daily living can bring, can I—will I—stand strong?
I can and I will if I have the right bricks in place.
At QBQ, Inc., we believe the first brick—the most critical brick—is PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY. Said another way, PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY comes first. (Remember this piece?)
Disagree if you want, but for me this is one belief that cannot be toppled.
For Discussion:
Is the “brick” of PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY in place in your life? How has it helped you live better?
Do you believe there is a different brick that comes before PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY for successful living? If so, share what it is and why you feel it comes first!
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