We all know that person who likes to blame everyone but themselves when something goes wrong…right?
But the reality is that we all, at one point or another, have resorted to blame as a defense mechanism.
This usually happens for one of two reasons (maybe even both at the same time!)…
1. We become FEARFUL (sometimes without even realizing it).
2. We become FRUSTRATED (and as a result, step out of 100% accountability).
So why fear and frustration?
When someone’s reputation is on the line—or when they’re being looked to for a result that hasn’t happened yet or they feel is beyond the scope of their authority—it creates pressure.
And if a leader isn’t self-aware, s/he may allow that pressure to drive an unhealthy reaction…and end up playing the blame game.
Choosing BLAME as a reaction has a significant cost, however:
● It puts us in the role of the VICTIM (things are done TO us rather than BY us), which causes us to give away any power we have to change things for the better.
● We lose CREDIBILITY with our team, our boss, and subconsciously with ourselves, because we’re not taking ownership.
● If as a leader we choose to blame, we are modeling that for our team—in essence giving them permission to do the same, and it will become POISON in the culture.
In The Coach Approach to Leadership™ program, we teach leaders HOW TO ACTUALLY PLAY THE BLAME GAME – THE RIGHT WAY.
We help leaders identify the areas where they feel frustration and fear and leverage these ‘clues’ to improve their team and organization.
If you want to learn more, send me a message!