Jackie Zach
September 8, 2024
On today’s episode, hosts Jackie Zach and Mike McKay discuss the pervasive issue of making excuses in both business and personal life. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness in recognizing when excuses are holding back progress, and how leaders’ behaviors often reflect on their teams. Jackie shares personal anecdotes about excuse-making while Mike highlights how subconscious beliefs, such as the need for protection from pain, create excuses that hinder success. The hosts stress the importance of accountability, continuous improvement, and taking proactive steps to overcome excuses.
The episode also addresses imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs, discussing how these mental blocks often originate from external influences like family or teachers. Mike shares his experience with bold calling in business, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear and rejection to achieve success. Both hosts agree that leaders must set the right example for their teams by eliminating excuses and fostering a culture of responsibility. They encourage listeners to seek coaching and accountability to help break through these barriers, ultimately improving both business outcomes and personal growth.
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Podcast Transcript:
Mike McKay: Welcome to the Tough Love for Business podcast. I’m Mike McKay, and I’m here with my co-host, Jackie Zach. Good morning, Jackie! How’s it going?
Jackie Zach: Things are going great! How are you?
Mike: It’s rainy and cloudy, so I feel like I shouldn’t have to do much today. What are we diving into today?
Jackie: Sounds like an excuse for not making the most of the day! We’re discussing excuses and the role they play in our lives. Specifically, we’re starting from within, asking ourselves, “How many excuses are we making?”Last week, I had an experience in a meeting that highlighted this for me. I noticed a pattern of excuse-making, which I wasn’t fully aware of until you pointed it out earlier that week. Once I started focusing on it, I couldn’t believe how many excuses people were making for not keeping commitments and other things.
Mike: It’s interesting that you’re starting with the internal. I was talking with a client recently about how everything outside of us is just a reflection of what we expect to see. Making excuses is often our mind’s way of creating order from results we don’t like—basically saying, “It’s not my fault.” Whether it’s “the dog ate my homework” or “it’s raining, so I don’t want to get out of bed,” it’s all just versions of our subconscious telling us we could be doing something different to get a better result. But these excuses stem from deep-seated beliefs that tell us, “You’re not worthy” or “Don’t get your hopes up.” These beliefs build a cage that protects us from perceived pain or failure, but also creates endless excuses.
Jackie: This really made me think about where I’m making excuses in my life. For example, I know I should be exercising, but I keep finding reasons not to. It’s easy to accept my own excuses. Life reflects what we put out, so if I’m making excuses for myself, I’m likely accepting them from others too. The first step is looking inward—are we making excuses for our behavior and results? And are we allowing others to make excuses as well?
Mike: I’d rephrase that slightly—”what” excuses are we making in all these areas? If we’re not living our ultimate dream, some excuse is getting in the way. I recently talked to our mind mentor, Bruce Wilson, about an excuse I was making, and he asked me, “Did you think this way when you were 15?” It made me realize that I’d adopted limiting beliefs when I was younger—beliefs that are still holding me back today. In business, these excuses show up as imposter syndrome. We think, “Who am I to do this?” But it’s all happening inside our minds, built from beliefs we created long ago.
Jackie: That’s so true. As a coach, I’m working on being better at what I do. It’s interesting how many people avoid taking opportunities to improve because they’re making excuses—whether it’s lack of time or something else. And if you’re a business owner or manager, and you’re getting a lot of excuses from your team, that’s a reflection of you. Either you’re making excuses yourself, or you’re allowing them. Either way, it’s a form of excuse-making.
Mike: Exactly. Life is a mirror. If your team is making excuses, it’s a reflection of you accepting mediocrity. I had a moment of clarity recently while talking to executives about hiring. They were complaining about C-level employees, and I asked, “What’s your hiring process that you’re only getting C-level employees?” They were shocked, but if you have underperforming employees, it means you either hired the wrong people or turned good hires into C-employees. That’s just another excuse.
Jackie: I bet that was eye-opening!
Mike: Definitely. And if you’re keeping those employees, that’s just another excuse for why you’re not getting things done. You attract what you deserve. If you want better employees, you need to be a better leader. Anything short of that is just an excuse for not creating the business you want.
Jackie: It’s similar to parenting. Kids reflect what they see, and it’s the same in business. Your employees will reflect your behavior as a leader.
Mike: The only difference is that in business, you can see the reflection much faster. With kids, it can take years, but in business, if you change your behavior as a leader, you’ll see the results in weeks. We did a culture exercise with a large organization, and within two weeks, the behavioral changes were already showing up.
Jackie: That’s why it’s so important to look inward. If your team is making excuses, start by asking yourself where you’re making excuses and what you’re allowing. Stop the madness by taking responsibility for what’s happening.
Mike: Exactly. And for any business owners out there thinking, “There’s more I want from my business,” click below to set up a call with Jackie. She’ll help you clarify where you want to go and whether coaching can help you get there.
Jackie: Awesome! Until next time, Mike!