The Power of Preparation: Why Accountability Is Key to Business Leadership Success

In this week's presidential debate, something that has nothing to do with politics caught my attention. As I watched both candidates dodge important questions, I saw a larger lesson beyond the political arena—one that translates into our professional lives, especially for those of us striving to break through in business leadership.

After the debate, one candidate implied that the other had been given the questions in advance—essentially accusing them of cheating. This wasn't surprising. We often hear complaints like this when one person is better prepared, more articulate, or simply outperforms another. But instead of taking responsibility for their own lack of preparation, some people look for excuses, accusing others of unfair advantages. It's a dangerous mindset that can stifle personal and professional growth.

The Reality for Underrated Leaders

Many of us know what it’s like to be overlooked and underestimated in our careers. For Black leaders and other underrepresented groups, this can feel like a recurring theme. We've all heard the advice: "You have to work twice as hard to get half as far." While frustrating, this sentiment holds some truth. Some biases lead to people being passed over, despite their skills, preparation, and qualifications. But here’s the thing: those of us who know we’re being underrated are often the ones who show up more prepared than anyone else in the room. We study longer, anticipate challenges better, and practice until perfection becomes second nature.

Yet, despite our hard work, we still hear the doubts. People assume we were “lucky,” had insider information, or that we somehow cheated the system. What they don’t see is the countless hours of preparation that went into every success. They don’t see the late nights, the sacrifices, and the relentless drive to prove that we deserve our spot at the table.

Accountability Starts With Us

While it’s easy to point out biases—and they certainly exist—we must also look inward. Are we truly prepared? Have we put in the time and effort to excel, or are we relying on talent alone? Talent will only take you so far; preparation, discipline, and accountability take you the rest of the way.

It’s easy to make excuses when things don’t go our way. Maybe a competitor outshined you in a presentation, or maybe you were passed over for a promotion. But rather than look for reasons outside of our control, we need to ask ourselves tough questions:

• Did I truly prepare for this moment?
• Could I have done more?
• What can I learn from this?

When we don’t prepare as well as we should, we need to hold ourselves accountable. We can't afford to shift blame onto others. Because when we do, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to grow. Blaming others for our failures might feel good in the short term, but in the long term, it keeps us stuck.

Growth Comes From Accountability

Leadership requires us to own both our successes and our failures. If you’re always looking for someone else to blame, you’ll never take the steps necessary to improve. You’ll never ask yourself the important questions that lead to growth.

On the other hand, when you own your mistakes and missteps, you put yourself in a position to improve the next time. Accountability is empowering because it gives us control over our development. When you accept responsibility for where you are today, you gain the power to shape where you’ll be tomorrow.

Overcoming Bias While Staying Accountable

The reality is that biases will always exist in some form. People will doubt your abilities based on factors outside of your control—race, gender, age, or background. But the way to overcome these obstacles is through relentless preparation and unwavering accountability. You can’t control others’ perceptions, but you can control how well you show up. And when you consistently show up prepared, no amount of bias can hold you back forever.

We can’t change the way the world operates overnight, but we can change the way we approach our own growth. The next time you face a setback, resist the urge to blame others. Instead, focus on how you can prepare better, learn more, and improve next time. Because when it comes to leadership, true growth only happens when we hold ourselves accountable.