The wind is gusting 105mph over my house as I write this. We lost power several hours ago, so I am depending on batteries and a dial-up connection.

As I watch this storm pass over, I think about the differences in preparations for the last three major hurricanes. Someone sent me an email contrasting the different responses from the populations involved between Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The differences centered on the personal responsibility taken by the citizens of each affected area. Taking responsibility for one’s own safety, from personal emergency supplies to taking shelter seems to make a big difference in the outcome of the aftermath.

And I think about what really makes the difference. Is it leadership? Is it some specific action taken by this local official or that state official? And I thought, NO. It has less to do with specific action than it does with the accountability culture of the community. Where the culture of the community commands personal responsibility, the outcome is much different.

Community leaders can make grand media pronouncements, or call in the National Guard, but ultimately, what happens has more to do with the accountability culture of the community.

What kind of accountability culture does your company have? What impact does that have on your company’s success in the marketplace?

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Postscript. I am now using a power converter in the front seat of my car. We still have a dial-up connection in the house. We will work hard to keep this blog churning in the aftermath of Wilma. Stay safe. -TF