One of my favorite business books is QBQ by John Miller. There are few books that have had such a direct impact on my career. 

QBQ stands for Question Behind the Question and it focuses on personal accountability. When I apply what John suggest in the book, good things happen. It is that simple. 

In my park ranger days, I used to give this book to people who worked with me. Their response to the book told me plenty about their personality and work habits. 

I had the opportunity to ask John Miller how we can have an impact. 

Here are the things you need to know from John Miller's comments about impact; 

-When something goes wrong, leaders figure out their role and find a way to do better. 

-You have to be good enough to out perform the situation and circumstances that get in your way. 

-Deep down, nobody likes a complainer. You have to make a decision to resist the temptation to complain and step away from personal accountability. 

-The quickest way to have an impact is to practice personal accountability.  

Personal Accountability is the foundation of leadership.

If you have not yet read QBQ, you can get it here.  You can find John Miller here. 

As a former park ranger, it was a delight when I had the opportunity to have dinner with the Director of the National Park Service. Jon Jarvis, now retired, also took the time to sit with me and discuss parks and leadership 

One of the questions I asked Director Jarvis was how to have an impact. No matter the work you do, you should be more concerned with having an impact than you are with success. 

Director Jarvis how you should take the initiative to step up and take on hard issues. Pick an issue that matters to you and step up to be a leader. 

Here are other things you need to know;

-Most organization are conservative in the amount of risk they are willing to let you take. Once you understand how to make things happen within the parameters of processes, procedures, and guidelines (as well as how much autonomy you have), you can begin to get. 

-Most organizations embrace innovation and initiative. Being aware of the problems your organization faces allows you to show innovation in finding a solution. 

-You don't have to wait for someone to tell you that you are a leader. 

-Don't just participate. Lead instead. Word will spread about your initiative. 

-Find the issues your organization needs to take on. Pick your issue and become a champion to solve the problem.