accountability Tag

At the beginning of each new year, I find myself doing a leadership development exercise: I look back at a few favorite books and ask, “Should I re-read any of these?” Not because I’ve forgotten the content, but because certain books have a way of re-centering my thinking when the world feels noisy. One of those books for me is QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller.

Even though I’m deeply engaged in leadership development, I have to confess—I’m still prone to grumbling when I could be grateful. That’s why, for the past couple of years, “Gratefulness” has been my word of the year. As a daily reminder, I’ve placed Philippians 4:8 in strategic spots—on my desk, my mirror, my journal—anywhere my eyes might land when my heart starts to drift.

In Millennials Matter, I introduce a framework for Leadership Development to provide a deeper understanding of what "Character" means when mentoring and coaching a Next-Gen leader. Based on my love and admiration for the homesteaders in North Dakota, I used this acronym: D.A.K.O.T.A. - Determination, Awareness, Knowledge, Optimism, Trustworthiness, Accountability.

*The Mitchells vs. The Machines* is a fun animated film with a deeper message. It shows how families can bridge differences in a tech-filled world. At its heart, the film uses the **D.A.K.O.T.A. Character** framework: **Determination, Awareness, Knowledge, Optimism, Trust, and Accountability**. These traits help the Mitchells save both the world and their bonds. Here, **Knowledge** isn't just facts. It means understanding right from wrong and having the courage to act rightly, even when it's tough. Each member of the Mitchell family grows and reconnects as they face challenges together.