The #1 Belief That Holds Leaders Back
Why do some leaders move forward while others stay stuck? It boils down to one belief: falling behind often comes from thinking results are out of your control.
Years ago, as CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, I sat down with my executive coach, Ilene, to review our financial performance. We’d missed our budget target for July, and I was ready with my explanation.
“We’re in the midst of a recession. The market’s challenging. Gas prices and interest rates have climbed, and fewer consumers are buying books.” I even cited data to back up my points, trying to frame our performance as “understandable,” given the circumstances.
Ilene listened, then hit me with a question that stopped me cold: “Michael, what was it about your leadership that led to this outcome?”
“Excuse me?” I replied, taken aback. I’d been prepared to talk about market conditions, but this question felt like a curveball.
Ilene repeated, “What was it about your leadership that contributed to this?”
At first, I had no answer. I’d been so focused on external factors, I hadn’t considered my role. Sensing this, she offered some insight. “As long as the problem is ‘out there,’ you’re a victim of your circumstances,” she said. “I’m not shaming you. I’m empowering you. You can’t change your results until you take full responsibility for them.”
Her words hit hard.
By seeing the issue as external, I’d avoided looking at where I had control—my own decisions and actions. This perspective shift made me realize that until I owned the results, I couldn’t improve them. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was a breakthrough moment. I finally saw that true leadership is about full ownership, and that’s when real progress can happen.
If we’re serious about growth, both for ourselves and our teams, we have to start taking full responsibility. Only when we accept ownership do we gain the power to change, to improve, and ultimately, to succeed.
The Mirror of Responsibility
Blaming others might make us feel better for a moment, but it leaves us helpless to improve. It keeps us stuck, repeating the same mistakes, and it signals to our teams that accountability isn’t a priority. Worse, it erodes trust.
People can spot a blame-shifter a mile away. They’re less likely to go the extra mile for someone who won’t shoulder their share of the load. When I finally faced my role in that budget shortfall, it wasn’t comfortable, but it was empowering. If my actions (or inaction) were part of the problem, then my actions could also be the solution.
That’s the core of Extreme Ownership, a concept that Navy SEAL Jocko Willink has popularized. He teaches that as leaders, we are responsible for everything in our world. We can’t control every outcome, but we are always responsible for our role in it.
When I started to own my outcomes—good and bad—it changed how I led. I’ve seen it work for countless leaders. It turns accountability from a burden into an opportunity for real progress.
Lessons from Charlie
About ten years ago, my wife got me a Labradoodle puppy. I’d wanted one since my daughter got hers, and my grandson named ours “Charlie Brown,” because his fur is a beautiful chocolate brown.
Though he was born in January, we didn’t get to meet him until May. After eleven weeks with his mother and siblings, he went straight to a trainer for “Companion Training.” (Yes, we believe in outsourcing!)
When we finally picked him up, he was everything I’d hoped for—cute, calm, and compliant. The trainer demonstrated his skills, and he obeyed her every command. But when I asked what to do if he had an accident indoors, she replied with a dose of humor: “Take a newspaper, roll it up tight, then hit yourself on the forehead while saying, ‘Bad owner!’”
She explained that if Charlie had an accident, it was my fault. I’d missed a signal or gotten distracted. Charlie was trained; now it was time to train me. I had to smile. She was giving me a dose of my own medicine. In leadership, our first step to getting better results is self-leadership.
I've just opened up a new spot in my private coaching program. If you're ready to make a breakthrough in both your professional and personal life, this is your chance to work directly with me, one-on-one, to achieve the Double Win. Get the details and apply here.
Practical Steps for Practicing Ownership
Here’s how to make Extreme Ownership a daily habit:
1. Own your role in the outcome.
Next time something doesn’t go as planned, resist the urge to point fingers. Instead, ask, “What was my role in this outcome?” Reflect on how your actions, decisions, or lack of clarity might have contributed.
Get specific. Did you set clear expectations? Did you provide the necessary resources? Often, we’ll find there was something we could have done differently, and that’s where real growth begins.
2. Focus on fixing the process, not finding fault.
Once you identify your role, consider what you can change moving forward. If a project falls behind, maybe it’s time to tighten your review process or adjust communication channels.
Keep it constructive. Shift from “Who’s at fault?” to “How can we improve?” Small adjustments to how you manage and communicate can make a huge difference.
3. Set the Example with Accountability
Ownership is contagious. When your team sees you taking responsibility, they’re more likely to follow suit. Set the tone by openly discussing your areas for improvement, and encourage them to do the same.
Create a “no-blame” culture where the focus is on solutions rather than scapegoating. In the long run, this builds trust, resilience, and a sense of collective ownership among your team.
The Reward of Responsibility
Taking responsibility isn’t always easy, but the rewards are worth it. Leaders who practice Extreme Ownership don’t just solve problems—they build a culture of accountability, trust, and mutual respect.
This culture has a ripple effect. Teams work better together, results improve, and you find yourself better equipped to tackle future challenges. So here’s my challenge to you: think back to a recent setback. Instead of placing blame, ask yourself, “What was my role in this?” Lean into that discomfort. That’s where the real work—and the real transformation—begins.
The Workbench
I recently discovered an incredible AI-powered tool that’s changed the way I store and access information.
Over the years, I’ve tried lots of different apps for this—Evernote, Notion, Apple Notes. While each had its strengths, they all required time-consuming organization. What I wanted was something that worked intuitively, like my mind does. Enter MyMind.
What is MyMind?
MyMind is a digital “second brain” designed for people who want to collect and revisit ideas, articles, images, and more—without folders, tags, or complex systems. MyMind uses AI to organize everything for you, automatically.
Key Features:
Automatic Organization: No tags, no folders—just save, and MyMind does the rest.
Visual Saving: Capture text, images, bookmarks, or web snippets with a single click.
Privacy First: No tracking, ads, or social sharing; everything stays private.
Powerful Search: Find saved items by keyword, visual similarity, or even related concepts.
MyMind offers a minimalist, privacy-focused approach that’s perfect for anyone seeking simplicity. It’s like having a digital mind that’s always organized, without the extra work. If that sounds appealing, it’s $11/month or $99/year—a small price for a second brain.
What’s Next?
Get ready to transform your productivity with The Ideal Week. In the next issue, I’ll share some advanced strategies I’ve honed over 20 years of using this powerful tool. These tips will help you reclaim your time, align your schedule with your goals, and make every week your most productive yet. Don’t miss it!
In pursuit of the Double Win,
Michael Hyatt
Founder & Chairman
Full Focus
P.S. Ready to take it to the next level? I’ve just opened up a new spot in my private coaching program. If you’re ready to make a breakthrough in both your professional and personal life, this is your chance to work directly with me, one-on-one, to achieve the Double Win. Get the details and apply here.
Our Mission: At Full Focus, we believe everyone deserves to win at work and succeed at life. Our mission is to make it nearly impossible for people not to get the Double Win®.
You can find my previous newsletter issues here: Beyond the Hustle Archive.