Answerable: The New Competence of the Leader

We live in an age that rewards speed, celebrates visibility, and punishes hesitation. The temptation for leaders, therefore, is to become ever more responsive—to jump at signals, react to feedback, and outpace the moment.

But speed alone is not effectiveness. In fact, responsiveness without responsibility becomes recklessness.

Conversely, many leaders—especially in established institutions—cling to responsibility as an excuse for inaction. They know what is right. They have values, frameworks, and governance. Yet they fail to act because they fear making a mistake, disrupting the system, or offending the wrong people.

The result is a split: some leaders act without thinking; others act without listening.

Both fail.