Creating An Accountability Toolbox Puts Initial Skills At Your Fingertips

I have three nail sets in one of my toolboxes. The reason I have three is because I used to leave tools lying around when I was using them, and then couldn't find what I needed right away since I hadn't put it back. So I bought another one. As everyone knows having been in a similar spot, the best way to find a lost item is to buy another one. The lost item will surely turn up in short order. Those multiple nail sets, (I'll explain the exact use a little later down the page), are the inspiration for this column. This page is all about creating an accountability toolbox.

Something that has what you need for specific topics related to accountability as contributing American citizens.

To be clear at the start, our page directory has nearly all the posts on our website. Think of that as the warehouse or library. And going back to our opening sentences, we've kind of left some tools lying around. For anyone reading this page in about a week, this will be a moot point. Okay, maybe a couple weeks. By then we will have added the most recent columns that haven't been included in the page directory.

I'm creating an accountability toolbox to put what you need right away, right at your fingertips. You'll be able to click on a link and have the correct tool for the task at hand.  Since we have new readers joining us, I also wanted a fresh portal to get them started quickly on the journey to leading the charge as accountable citizens of America.

It's important for those new readers to recognize right off that we write based on our core values. We share the wins and the setbacks with the sole purpose of trying to make a positive difference. 

These are the core values that direct our writing and guide our mission.

Creating An Accountability Toolbox

I didn't have an extendable mirror in my first tool box. I was young and just beginning a very small self-employed business where I bought houses in disrepair, made them very nice and sold them. I had to figure out what tools I needed through experience, including inevitable setbacks. Over time, it became obvious that I needed that mirror to find things I dropped into hidden places, to see obstacles in tight spots, and to look farther ahead than just my own eyes were capable.

When creating an accountability toolbox, the first metaphor for "tool" that I thought of was that mirror. As accountable citizens of America, we're constantly looking at our own actions, our own examples. Sometimes we drop things, we have human missteps and we need to stop, look within ourselves and pick up the correct path again. We need the reflection of that personal mirror to guide us to the path of selfless service and responsible actions.

I have three levels for the same reason I have multiple nail sets. In my youth, I got in a hurry and misplaced one and found myself needing it. So back to the hardware store I went. It's curious that I became much more responsible for picking up my tools when I had more than just myself to pay for, more people depending on me. Experience tends to help us grow along the path of life.

We use levels to make sure our work is straight and true. Levels keep the job plumb, never leaning too far in the wrong direction, exactly in balance. Balance is essential for all accountable citizens. Experience and more people depending on me were lessons about balance that came along for me and have for nearly everyone reading this page. I needed to get the work done, but I also needed time for the people in my life.

Life is about finding balance, about keeping things level. Accountable citizens find this level plane, this spot where everything is plumb, never tilting to an extreme angle.

I have a couple pencils in there as well. It's important to plan every job beforehand in writing. And of course the plans are irrelevant if there isn't a clear vison of the purpose-of the end result.

You might not know your purpose in the beginning, but you know what brings out the passion in your thoughts. That's a good first step, but if the thoughts aren't written down as a concrete goal with a deadline, it's no better than just guessing where to put your pencil mark before cutting.

Speaking of cutting, I have several saws in my tool box. Some for rough, deep cuts, some for fine, intricate cuts. You'll need to make accurate cuts as you develop into an accountable leader. Some will just be easy trims, like replacing bad habits with good ones.

Some will require a stronger saw. Sometimes we get stuck in toxic relationships that require us to completely sever ties, even if it means saying goodbye to lifelong friends or family members.

I keep ear plugs in my toolbox to protect my hearing and to block out the distracting noise. The most important tool in developing leaders is the ability to listen with the intent to understand first, then to be understood.

After blocking out the negative, useless, debilitating noise, you can focus on listening as a means of problem-solving. Not about being right, but rather, about doing right.

There are various grades of sandpaper and a couple varieties of files in there as well. At times, I need to clean up some rough edges, and smooth out some nicks and bumps. Keeping in focus our need to always look in the mirror, there will most likely be a time to let go of past pain or to smooth out our own rough edges. Our editorial room members are willing to raise our collective hands to admit we needed to get a lot better in certain areas, not the least of which is escaping ego entanglements.

Example is the best teacher. When you smooth out your own nicks and dings, you will be able to inspire and lead. We've included a couple tools for that in the following block.

Using Tools Wisely

Now, about those nail sets. I use those to drive fasteners into the wood so they don't cause injury when someone runs a hand across the finished project. Nail sets help to secure the work and also make things more visually appealing.

Here's the thing about hammers and nail sets. Tools are neither good nor bad. Their usage is strictly a human decision. As accountable citizens, we need to remember a quote from Abraham Maslow. "It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail."

Creating an accountability toolbox is one of our ways to simplify leadership development. We're always trying to make our website a better experience for all of you reading these pages.

Sometimes we fall short of the mark, but the goal remains the same. Please share your input and your expertise by using the contact button. We thank you in advance.

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