In this episode, we explore Mahatma Gandhi’s powerful call to integrity: “It is wrong and immoral to seek to escape the consequences of one’s acts.” Through the lens of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, discover how true leaders embrace ownership in both success and failure. With actionable steps and reflective insights, this episode challenges you to lead with courage and accountability.
Show Notes Links:
- Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last
- Learn More About Ernest Shackleton
- Leadership Is Ownership: Full Stop – Blog Post
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Welcome to the Leadership Quotient. I’m Dusty Holcomb, and each day I’ll share a meaningful quote and explore how it applies to leadership and personal growth. Together, we’ll unpack lessons that help you lead yourself and others with purpose and clarity. Let’s get started. Today, we’re diving into a powerful challenge for Mahatma Gandhi.
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It is wrong and immoral to seek to escape the consequences of one’s act. This quote goes beyond accountability. It’s about integrity, the kind of integrity that shows up not only in success, but also in failure because here’s the truth. Leadership demands ownership, whether the outcomes are favorable or not. Think about that.
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When a decision goes well, we’re quick to take credit, bask in the recognition, and enjoy the rewards. But when things don’t go as planned, there’s a temptation to distance ourselves, shift blame, or hope that the fallout quickly fades. Gandhi’s words challenge us to lead differently. Let me share a story of leadership ownership that continues to inspire us in 1914, Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition faced disaster. Their ship, the endurance was trapped and eventually crushed by ice.
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Shackleton didn’t blame the unforgiving conditions or the risks of exploration. Instead he owned the failure of the mission, and shifted his focus entirely to the safety of his crew. Jackalton’s integrity and willingness to lead in the face of failure ensured that every single crew member survived. He didn’t hide from the consequences. He stepped into them with courage and resolve.
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Leadership. Isn’t just about guiding through good times. It’s about standing tall when outcomes fall short, owning your actions, even when they lead to failure, builds trust, strengthens character, and it defines your legacy. Here are 3 steps for you to consider as you’re thinking about ownership. Reflect on your past decisions.
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Think of a time when the outcome didn’t meet your expectations. How did you respond? Were you quick to take ownership or did you avoid the fallout? 2, identify an area for growth. Where can you take greater responsibility in your leadership today?
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And 3, commit to integrity. The next time you face a challenging outcome, choose to step into it with courage and transparency. For a deeper dive into this topic, I highly recommend Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last. It’s a great exploration of responsibility, trust, and integrity in leadership. Leadership isn’t about perfection.
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It’s about ownership. Leaders don’t hide from consequences. They step into them And in doing so they build trust, character, and a legacy worth following. So here’s my challenge to you. What’s one decision or action where you can take greater ownership today?
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Face it with courage and conviction. Leadership demands nothing less. Until next time, lead boldly with integrity at your core. Thanks for joining me today on the Leadership Quotient. I hope today’s quote gave you something to think about and apply in your leadership journey.
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If you found value in this episode, I’d love for you to share it. Subscribe or leave a review. Leadership is a journey. Keep moving forward and I’ll see you tomorrow.
