In this episode of Grow Think Tank, I tackle the often-ignored topic of blame in the workplace. I highlight how attributing performance issues to employees or external factors can impede both personal and organizational growth. Drawing from my experience coaching CEOs, I emphasize the importance of self-awareness in leadership and the need to confront uncomfortable truths. Leaders are encouraged to reflect on their roles, recognizing that the solution often lies in their own leadership approach rather than their teams. I provide insights on fostering engagement and redefining company culture, stressing that personal accountability is key to effective business management. Listeners are invited to join a training program aimed at empowering leaders to move beyond blame and embrace growth through intentional action.

Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

0:12 Ownership of Growth
4:41 Blame and Self-Reflection
5:47 The Journey of Growth
6:24 Training for Transformation
7:32 Closing Thoughts on Leadership

Ownership Starts With the CEO

Growth problems are rarely caused by employees alone. When CEOs blame their team for poor performance, misalignment, or lack of growth, they are avoiding the real issue: leadership ownership. The CEO sets the standards, builds the systems, defines the culture, and hires the people. Waiting for the team to “get better” is a passive approach that stalls progress. True leadership requires looking inward first and taking responsibility for what is not working.

Self-Awareness Is the Leadership Upgrade

The most effective leaders develop deep self-awareness. This is difficult because it requires challenging internal stories, habits, and blind spots. Many CEOs eventually realize the hard truth: “I’m the problem and that means I can be the solution.” Growth happens when leaders upgrade their skills, manage their time intentionally, and change how they engage and align their teams. External blame delays growth; internal reflection accelerates it.

Growth Is a Choice Between Two Discomforts

Every leader faces discomfort, either the discomfort of growth or the discomfort of stagnation. Avoiding ownership leads to prolonged stress, frustration, and underperformance. Embracing ownership leads to intentional change, clearer leadership, and sustainable growth beyond the CEO. Support systems such as coaching and training help leaders see what they cannot see alone and shorten the path forward. Ultimately, the business can only grow as much as the leader does.

Key Takeaways

• Blame Blocks Growth: When CEOs blame their team for poor performance or misalignment, they give away their power to create change. Growth begins with ownership, not excuses.
• Leadership Sets the Ceiling: Culture, standards, systems, and hiring decisions all stem from leadership. Team performance is a reflection of how the business is being led.
• Waiting Is Not Leadership: Hoping employees will “step up” without changing leadership behaviors delays progress. Leaders must act first.
• Self-Awareness Is a Competitive Advantage: Real growth requires leaders to examine their thinking, habits, and blind spots often with outside support to see what they cannot see alone.
• The Leader Must Upgrade First: Sustainable improvement comes when the CEO upgrades their skills, time management, communication, and engagement with the team.
• Choose Your Discomfort: Leaders can be uncomfortable doing the work of growth or remain uncomfortable with underperformance. Either way, discomfort is unavoidable.
• Ownership Creates Freedom: When leaders fully own results, they stop over-controlling, reduce stress, and build a business that can grow beyond them.

Ideal For:
Founders, CEOs, executives, managers, and anyone committed to elevating their leadership capacity.

Resources & Next Steps

Ready to take your leadership energy to the next level?
Explore free training and resources at training.coreelevation.com
to help you identify energy leaks, strengthen your leadership presence, and elevate your team’s performance.

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🎧 Listen to the Full Episode: Growth Think Tank Podcast