You Can Have Excuses or Results – But Not Both

I work with some great companies.  I was discussing a client last week who added $1,000,000 per month in profit to their business.  Or yesterday, I was working with a client who has hit 60% net profit in their business.  But let's be honest, everyone doesn't get these results.  In fact, some businesses, no matter how much I want them to succeed, don't make it.  It boils down to one simple truth: you can have excuses or results, but you can’t have both. This principle applies to leaders, employees, and entrepreneurs alike. Excuses are the easy way out; they allow us to rationalize why we didn’t hit a goal or complete a project. Results, on the other hand, demand accountability, focus, and lots of effort.

Let’s explore why this mindset matters and how adopting a results-driven approach can transform your business.

The Comfort of Excuses

Excuses often stem from valid challenges—lack of time, limited resources, or unexpected obstacles. While these reasons may explain why something didn’t happen, they don’t change the outcome.

Consider this: Have you ever let yourself off the hook because of circumstances outside your control? It’s tempting, and it feels justified in the moment. But the problem with excuses is that they rob you of power. When you shift the blame to external factors, you’re essentially saying, “I can’t control the outcome.”

Over time, this mindset creates a culture of mediocrity in businesses. Teams start to accept less-than-optimal performance as the norm. Innovation stalls, profit stalls, results stall...and the business plateaus because it’s easier to justify poor results than to address the root cause.

The Power of Results-Oriented Thinking

Results-oriented thinking flips the script. Instead of focusing on why something can’t be done, it challenges you to ask, “What can I do to make this happen?” This mindset cultivates creativity, ownership, and persistence.

In a results-driven culture:

• Leaders take ownership: They don’t pass the buck; they take responsibility for team performance and outcomes.
• Employees embrace accountability: Instead of blaming external factors, they look for solutions and adapt.
• Obstacles become opportunities: Roadblocks are reframed as challenges to overcome, not excuses to stop trying.

The result? Businesses that prioritize results consistently outperform their competitors. They are agile, resilient, and driven by a shared commitment to excellence.

Practical Steps to Shift from Excuses to Results

1. Set Clear Goals

Without a clear destination, it’s easy to get off track. Define specific, measurable goals for yourself and your team, and ensure everyone understands the desired outcomes. Expect to hit them!

2. Eliminate Excuse-Friendly Language

Phrases like “I tried,” “It’s not my fault,” or “I didn’t have enough time” should raise a red flag. Encourage team members to replace excuses with proactive statements like, “Here’s what I can do,” or “This is how I’ll adjust to meet the goal.” Bring solutions instead of just problems.

3. Foster Accountability

Accountability doesn’t mean punishment; it means clarity and ownership. Regular check-ins and performance reviews help everyone stay aligned with expectations and timelines.  Scorecards help with this.

4. Celebrate Results

Rewarding those who deliver results reinforces the behavior you want to see. Make success visible and publicly acknowledge the contributions of individuals and teams who overcome obstacles.

5. Lead by Example

If you’re a business leader, model results-driven behavior. Show your team that excuses have no place at the top. When challenges arise, let them see you rolling up your sleeves to find solutions.

Excuses vs. Results: A Leadership Lesson

Imagine two business leaders facing the same challenge—let’s say a sales target was missed.

• The first leader blames market conditions, the economy, or the team’s lack of effort.
• The second leader digs into the data, identifies gaps in the sales process, and works with the team to create a better strategy moving forward.

Which leader would you follow? Which company would you invest in? The answer is clear. Leaders who focus on results inspire trust, confidence, and action.

Years ago, I had two clients in the same industry in the same town.  While one client complained of bad market conditions and a shrinking labor pool, the other client was hitting their highest profit numbers ever.  Excuses...and Results.

Ryan Giles