Leadership is about ownership.  The buck stops with us, and it is vital that we signify that on a daily basis.

Then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower, just prior to the D-Day Invasion at Normandy, penned a press release in the case of failure: “My decision to attack at this time was born upon the best information available. The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that devotion to duty could do.  If any blame or fault attends to the attempt, it is mine alone.”

Wow.  That is ownership.  As leaders, when we step into the breach we immediately assume the ownership of the organization.  There is no time for blame or excuses.

The next time your team fails to meet the mark and you are tempted to blame the failure on a lack of resources, time, or energy; accept the failure.  Take ownership of it.  Then gather your staff, learn from your mistakes, and move on.  Your team will thank you.