Editor’s Note: Originally published Nov. 10, 2015

Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer has written a book on leadership and the championship season the Buckeyes experienced in 2014.

He said that one of the keys to success was to get his team to eliminate “BCD” behavior. It stands for no Blaming, no Complaining, and no Defending.

No one has to blame if everyone on the team is accountable. If you trust that each team member focuses on doing their best, you can count on them to work on the shortcomings that arise and clean them up.

No one has to complain when there is a unified commitment and effort to improve every situation. No one wastes energy complaining; instead, the whole team works to clarify the problem and resolve it.

No one has to defend themselves when they remain humble and open to considering better ways and alternative paths. Being defensive is looking backward. If we look forward, we won’t get mired down in regret, guilt, or failure.

We can move ahead.

Blaming, complaining, and defending are things we do, things we choose. You become a better teammate if you eliminate them. Their absence creates an environment for success.