In this episode of @TheScienceofLeadership Dr. Collins has a conversation with General Gus Perna about the importance of being responsible and accountable as leaders.

During his career in the Army, General Perna commanded soldiers during Operation Iraqi Freedom and later served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army’s Materiel Command, overseeing 190,000 personnel and a $175 billion budget. In 2020, when the United States needed a vaccine to be developed and delivered across the country, he co-led Operation Warp Speed, delivering the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of schedule. In this podcast, General Perna emphasizes the need for leaders to lead by example and ensure that their actions align with their words. General Perna shares stories from his military career that illustrate the importance of taking responsibility and being accountable for the outcomes. He also highlights the role of trust in effective leadership and the impact of violating that trust. Overall, the episode emphasizes the significance of remaining responsible and accountable in order to build trust and lead effectively. General Perna discusses his experience leading Operation Warp Speed and the importance of being responsible and accountable in challenging situations. He emphasizes the need to think beyond oneself and the organization and focus on the greater mission. General Perna also highlights the value of building diverse teams and leveraging the expertise of others. He shares practical advice for leaders, including asking if a decision is bigger than oneself and the organization, and being willing to delegate and collaborate. The conversation concludes with insights on decision-making, time management, and the importance of humility. Important concepts covered include leadership, responsibility, accountability, trust, leading by example, Operation Warp Speed, diverse teams, decision-making, time management, and humility.

Key Takeaways

• Leaders must be responsible and accountable for their actions and the outcomes they achieve.

• Leading by example is crucial in building trust and inspiring others to follow.

• Taking responsibility and being accountable can have a significant impact on the success of a mission or organization.

• Violating trust by not being responsible or accountable can undermine leadership effectiveness.

• Maintaining high standards and holding oneself and others accountable is essential for achieving desired outcomes. Leaders must lead by example and be responsible and accountable for their actions and decisions.

• Building diverse teams and leveraging the expertise of others is crucial for success.

• Leaders should ask themselves if a decision is bigger than themselves and their organization before taking action.

• Being willing to delegate and collaborate is essential for effective leadership.

• Humility is a key trait for leaders, as it allows them to learn from others and make better decisions.

• Improving decision-making and organizational performance are positive outcomes of being responsible and accountable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:13 Being Responsible and Accountable as Leaders

09:23 Taking Responsibility and Giving Credit

18:11 The Importance of Maintaining High Standards

25:07 Leading by Example and Building Trust

29:58 Achieving Success through Responsibility and Accountability

36:11 Maintaining Standards in Challenging Environments

37:03 Leading with Responsibility and Accountability

38:05 Leading Operation Warp Speed

41:39 Overcoming Challenges in Distribution

44:31 Checking Egos at the Door

48:53 The Importance of Humility

52:07 Positive Effects of Responsibility and Accountability

Key References

• Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth.

• Heifetz, R. A., Grashow, A., & Linsky, M. (2009). The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World.

• Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge. Wiley.

• De Dreu, C. K. W., & West, M. A. (2001). Minority dissent and team innovation: The importance of participation in decision-making. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(6), 1191-1201.

• Frink, D. D., & Klimoski, R. J. (1998). Toward a theory of accountability in organizations and human resources management. Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, 16, 1-51.

• Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't.