Which is a basic principle of extreme leadership?

• A. Taking ownership; checking one's ego; accepting the blame
• B. Delegating tasks
• C. Avoiding responsibility
• D. Blaming others

Answer: (A)

Taking ownership is the foundation of extreme leadership. A leader accepts responsibility for everything that happens under their command, keeps their ego in check, and is willing to take the blame when failures occur. This creates credibility and trust, and it drives rapid learning and improvement because problems are faced directly rather than ignored or shifted elsewhere. By owning the outcome, the leader identifies what could have been done differently, communicates a clear plan, and guides the team toward effective fixes, ensuring accountability flows through the organization. Delegating tasks is important for getting work done, but it doesn't replace responsibility for the results. Avoiding responsibility and blaming others undermine trust, slow learning, and let problems fester.