A Spring Finale Fueled by Healthy Accountability—and a New Resource to Keep It Going

The spring series of the Good Leadership Breakfast wrapped up with a packed room, an inspiring message, and a humble voice from the NFL. Ryan Poles, General Manager of the Chicago Bears, closed the season with wisdom hard-earned from leading one of the most high-profile franchises in professional sports.

For those continuing their journey toward better leadership, a new resource is now available: the Healthy Accountability preview eBook is free to download and ready to share. It serves as a practical companion to the themes that guided the entire spring series: personal ownership, team support, and delivering results on time. 

Download the Healthy Accountability Preview eBook

Another special part about this Breakfast was the podcast I recorded with Darin Lynch, Founder and CEO of Irish Titan, and Aaron Eggert, Chief Vision Officer for Coalition9. The three of us debriefed the standout moments of the Breakfast featuring Ryan Poles, including Ryan’s perspective on building a high-performance culture, leading under pressure, and the importance of character in team dynamics. You can listen to that episode here.

And, if you missed the Breakfast on May 22, you can watch the full broadcast here.

Success Habits in Rare Air

There’s a reason nearly 300 guests showed up to hear from Ryan Poles. Very few leaders operate under the kind of constant scrutiny and performance pressure that exists in the NFL. And yet, Ryan’s leadership is rooted in humility. 

The people around Ryan, who observe his leadership daily, shared three success habits that guide his team and ensure accountability is a shared commitment. 

1. Include People in Your Process: Ryan brings people inside the decision-making process, whether it’s a trade, a draft pick, or a strategic shift. When people feel part of the journey, they take more ownership of the outcome.
2. Give Exposure and Experience: Ryan creates opportunities for his staff to see what leadership looks like up close. Accountability gets stronger when people are trusted with visibility and experience.
3. Hire Well—Character Matters: Talent is essential, but character is non-negotiable. Ryan hires people who are coachable, resilient, and passionate. The Bears’ GRIZZLY model, focused on traits like dependability and pain tolerance, helps guide hiring decisions with culture in mind.

What Healthy Accountability Looks Like

When asked to define healthy accountability, Ryan didn’t hesitate. His answer was clear:

Set clear expectations, take ownership, be selfless, and offer truthful feedback.

Ryan’s story reflected his belief in healthy accountability. And sometimes giving truthful feedback is tough. “Some situations break your heart,” he said, “but clear your vision.”

When You Break the Trend, You Build the Future

A notable story is Ryan’s choice to hire offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who defied conventional expectations. This spring has focused on clarity regarding modern leadership and how healthy accountability serves as the engine for genuine, lasting success.

Keep the Momentum Going

The Good Leadership Breakfast may be on summer break, but the learning continues. Download the Healthy Accountability preview eBook and explore the habits, mindsets, and behaviors that help people win together.

Download the Preview eBook

Goodness pays. To learn more about the Physician Leadership Accelerator, click here.