The Accountability Guy®
Do you consider yourself an entrepreneur putting together a high-functioning team? Then you must be aware of all the challenges teams face, the biggest one being accountability. This is why every good leader should be able to establish a climate of personal responsibility inside their organisation.
In this blog, you will better understand why you need Accountability and the 3 ways to promote Accountability in Workplace.
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First, let us talk about why the “disciplining” or “strict consequences” approach does not work in a professional environment.
A bossing around approach makes individuals feel like they’re in grade school again. It doesn’t foster trust and independence, and it doesn’t encourage individuals to devise strategies for staying in control of things. As a result, employees get preoccupied with avoiding failure rather than generating innovative and sustainable solutions.
A more effective method for leaders to instil a sense of responsibility in their workforce is to create an environment where accountability is valued and encouraged at all levels.
Leaders establish an ideal culture when they explain what the company and its people are responsible for and dedicated to accomplishing. By doing so, they can steer their teams and subunits toward a shared set of outcomes. Goals not only tell employees what is expected of them but also guide them in figuring out how to get there.
Furthermore, including individuals in the goal-setting process might increase their determination to succeed. Taken collectively, these measures may address the issue of unclear responsibility.
The objectives significant to the company’s success must be consistently communicated and reinforced, as must the fact that every member’s involvement is essential to achieving the goal.
When professionals accept responsibility for their behaviour, they won’t waste time on tasks that aren’t important to them anymore.
In fact, accountability will help them develop a greater appreciation for their work. A sense of pride will make them produce effective results.
Accountability can potentially improve the performance and morale of a team’s members when properly implemented. However, the concept of responsibility is not synonymous with the concept of policing actions.
Accountability is accepting the onus of doing tasks as agreed upon, without excuses. Employees lose faith in leadership, get demoralised, and create a negative work environment when accountability is lacking.
Most problems with responsibility may be traced back to a lack of self-assurance or the inability to do the required tasks. The following are some of the most important things a leader may do to boost his or her team’s morale and productivity:
First and foremost, you must serve as an example to your employees. That means complete openness and not making excuses for problems and actions that are clearly under your purview. It also entails acknowledging, encouraging, and honouring someone who has taken full responsibility and refraining from punishing unforeseen outcomes. Be an example of what you want your employees to do. Doing so will foster an atmosphere where everyone feels secure and respected.
There will be a failure on both on both sides parts if you demand responsibility yet insist on making all the calls yourself.
For effective delegation to take place, all relevant personnel must be provided with enough resources (including but not limited to relevant data, appropriate software, and adequate instruction). No one can be held responsible when several unknown approval levels are involved.
Rather than micromanaging, leaders should delegate authority. The delegation process may be improved by instituting a system that maximises internal ownership, incentive, and responsibility.
Coaching to find solutions is the ultimate aim, not placing blame or giving unhelpful criticism. An objective third party or anyone who can introduce outside specialists to corroborate your results and boost your confidence may be necessary for many situations between you and your team members.
Develop a collaborative environment where members voluntarily take responsibility for their actions rather than being coerced into them. Consequently, both individuals and businesses will benefit from increased productivity and adaptability in the face of rapid change.
Make responsibility a source of pride, not punishment, for you and your team.
As a leader, your responsibility is to create an environment conducive to learning in which people may fully grasp their roles. Although developing a responsibility culture might take time and effort, it is not too complicated.
Getting workers to buy into it merely takes persistence, an upbeat attitude, and consideration of the abovementioned 3 ways to promote Accountability in the Workplace. Accountability has to be displayed in a way that becomes a fabric of your corporate culture. In the long term, it will help you foster your staff to become efficient and more devoted to their job.
Darren Finkelstein is The Accountability Guy®. This involves being an International Accountability Coach, Business Advisor, Mentor, Author, and Speaker.
Darren works with high-performing teams and individuals across Australia/NZ, UK, USA, Latin America, Europe and Asia to help get results, achieve their wildest dreams, and smash goals. He does this by leveraging over 30 years of experience working in the corporate world and small businesses.
A successful business owner himself, Darren won the Australian Entrepreneur of the Year award for Dent Global after building a wonderful lifestyle business, successfully sold and exited after 15 years.
Before this, Darren worked for over 10 years at Apple Inc. as ‘Manager of Commercial Markets’ during the inspirational Steve Jobs era. While there, he was awarded the prestigious Golden Apple Award.
Darren’s lessons in accountability can help individuals and teams at all levels of a business or organisation across the globe, and are based on actions and results:
Know what to do first
know what to do next
know what to do more of
1. Take the Accountability Scorecard
How accountable are you? Discover your accountability score and increase the probability of smashing your goals and Getting Sh!t Done. Take the quiz
2. Read my book "The Accountability Advantage - Play Your Best Game"
Eliminate procrastination and overwhelm and start playing your best game.
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3. Book a complimentary Accountability Assessment
Invest 15 minutes now and avoid months or years of struggle. If you genuinely need help becoming more accountable, it can’t hurt to find out. Book here.
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