Jack Nehlig and Trevor Robinson tackle the topic of accountability in leadership, drawing from real stories and personal experience. This episode discusses the difference between responsibility and accountability, shares practical ways leaders can meet their commitments, and highlights how true accountability is tested in times of adversity. These points are especially relevant for managers, team leads, and entrepreneurs seeking practical guidance on leading with integrity.
Understanding the Difference Between Responsibility and Accountability
Jack Nehlig points out that many people use the words "responsibility" and "accountability" interchangeably, but they mean different things—especially in a leadership setting. "Responsibility is you are directly... responsible for doing something," Nehlig explains, such as an assembly line worker putting together parts. Accountability, on the other hand, belongs to the leader, who oversees whether all responsibilities are fulfilled. As he describes it, "It's almost an org chart thing, and that's why responsibility isn't the leadership word as much as accountability is the leadership word." This separation is crucial: the higher you are in a company, the less direct responsibility you have for tasks, but your need to ensure results only grows. Leaders should always remember that their accountability extends to making sure all team goals, and not just personal tasks, are met.
Accountability Is Measured by Meeting Commitments
In this episode, Nehlig emphasizes that accountability at its root means meeting your commitments. He shares a pivotal lesson from his father, who ran a small business and would always deliver to customers as promised—even if it meant working nights and weekends. Nehlig recalls his father questioning the acceptance of anything short of 100% when it comes to customer commitments. "Why would you ever plan to miss a delivery to your customers?" his father asked. This story reinforces a standard for leaders: accountability is not about hitting most targets or being "pretty good." It's about doing whatever it takes to deliver on commitments. Nehlig highlights that entrepreneurs and small business owners often embody this fully, while managers in larger organizations may lose sight of it. He encourages leaders at all levels to adopt this mindset for consistent improvement and results.
True Accountability Shines During Difficult Times
As Nehlig recounts the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, he illustrates how accountability is truly tested when things go wrong. Amid unprecedented financial pressure, his leadership team at Phoenix Contact faced tough decisions about layoffs. Instead of taking the easy route—laying off employees and blaming external events—they got creative to protect their workforce. Nehlig describes, "We came up with this concept that we would lay everybody off, and then the company would make up the difference... so that the employee was made whole." This approach saved the company significant sums while showing care for employees. As Robinson reflects, "as a leader, it becomes pretty easy just to just mail it in and say we're just gonna lay off these individuals... You guys took the opposite. You said, hey. We have this accountability to our team and our employees, and we also now have to get creative." True accountability, then, is about standing out front during bad times, not just taking credit in good ones, and finding ways to meet obligations creatively and ethically—even under pressure.
Key Quote From The Episode
"When the good times are happening... I want the leaders to stand in the back. And when you have the bad time... I want the leader to stand in the front, right in the middle. Very prominent. That’s accountability." – Jack Nehlig
Key Takeaways
– Accountability is not just another leadership buzzword; it means leaders are judged by how they fulfill commitments.
– Responsibility refers to direct tasks, but accountability belongs to those leading the broader mission.
– Meeting your commitments, without exception, sets the gold standard for leaders. 00:10:27 – Difficult times (like COVID-19) require leaders to apply creativity to uphold their accountability to their teams.
– Leaders should be visible when things go wrong and give credit to their team when things go right.
Wrap Up
Accountability separates average leaders from great ones by demanding integrity, creativity, and the willingness to face the toughest issues. By distinguishing responsibility from accountability, focusing on meeting all commitments, and doubling down on leadership during adversity, today's managers and entrepreneurs can inspire teams and deliver results. Readers are encouraged to audit their own commitments, support their teams in reaching group goals, and step up with creative solutions when problems arise. Lastly, remember to stand in the front during bad times—your team and organization are looking to you for real leadership.
