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Writer's pictureAaron Hendon

Unleashing Breakthrough Performance Through Accountability

The Transformational Power of Promises


It’s been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. To truly evolve and achieve unprecedented levels of success in real estate or any profession, we must fundamentally shift our thinking. This is the essence of what Einstein meant when he said, “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”


To create a seismic shift in performance, we should focus on a core principle that often goes underutilized or misunderstood: Accountability.


Redefining Accountability for Breakthrough Results


Traditional definitions of accountability are limited, simply focusing on accounting for actions taken. However, true accountability extends far beyond this; it serves as a platform for keeping promises and creating a vision for the future. Before taking action, the act of making a promise is what unlocks the full power of accountability.


Take JFK’s commitment to landing on the moon, for example. He made a seemingly impossible promise against all odds, but that promise birthed a future. The mere act of uttering those words led to actions that made the impossible possible.


The Batman Analogy: A Promise Is Your Superpower

Imagine your promise is like Batman's Bat-a-Rang. When Batman throws his hook to the top of a building, he’s not just throwing a piece of metal; he’s creating a path for himself to climb. Likewise, when you make a promise, you create a pathway to the future and can use that promise to propel you towards actions you might otherwise never take.


The Nuanced Importance of Context


Understanding your actions in the context of your promise gives you a roadmap for performance. In a conventional framework, one might say, "I did X, and it produced Y.” But such a statement is devoid of context. What truly empowers you is saying, "I promised that X would happen, and to achieve X, I took Y actions. These actions either fulfilled or did not fulfill X."


This approach enables you to evaluate your efforts in the light of your vision and understand what’s still needed. You can celebrate your victories not just as isolated events, but as the fulfillment of a promise, a step closer to your bigger vision.


The Secret Sauce: Promises Connected to Future Vision


The legendary coach John Wooden once said, "Never mistake activity with achievement." You might be busy, but are you productive? Are you achieving what you promised to achieve? When accountability is linked to a future you are committed to creating, it transcends mere activity and becomes the cornerstone of genuine achievement.


The Ripple Effect on Teams

When everyone on your team understands that their promises matter, they become more responsible, accountable, and committed. Such an environment elevates everyone's capacity for performance. In this context, accountability is not a burden but an empowering force that confirms that what we say and do really does matter. And when what we say and do matters, we matter.


Conclusion


Accountability, when correctly defined and employed, is the catalyst for producing breakthrough performance. It compels us to make promises tied to a vision for the future and take actions aligned with fulfilling those promises. As leaders and agents, it’s not just about accounting for our actions but about fulfilling the promises that create the future we desire.


Harness the power of accountability and redefine the limits of what you and your team can achieve. After all, a promise is more than just a statement—it’s a commitment to a future yet to be created.

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