This blog has been written to highlight workplace obligations.
The underlying principles undoubtedly apply in other parts of our lives, but we’ll limit the examples to business to keep this topic relevant to our readers.
When it comes to workplace obligations, I’d say there are two words that are very closely related. They aren’t quite synonyms and misunderstanding that can lead to conflict and confusion when assigning or assuming what your role on the team is.
The two words are Accountable and Responsible.
They don’t mean exactly the same thing. Here’s the difference:
To be responsible means to be answerable for something within one’s power or control. Notice the two aspects of this definition – the ability to control plus being able to answer for something.
To be accountable means to be subject to giving an account or having the obligation to report, explain or justify something. There is no aspect of power nor control in this definition. But there is an expectation.
Let me outline the difference with an example.
I am a business owner. That means I have a certain degree of control over everything that happens in the business. I am the one who is ultimately responsible for every decision made and every action taken by every person who works here.
Because I have that power, I have to answer for what we do.
There are, however, others who work with me in say marketing, communications, administrative and in training roles. They are not responsible, ultimately, but they are accountable. Work is assigned to them, and they are then obligated to do the work and to be able to report back on it.
This results in two major differences in the work I do and the work they do.
First, they walk away at the end of their workday and are able to leave it all behind. I can’t because – I am answerable to every client and to each employee.
The second difference is in the reporting. I don’t have anyone to report to, at least not formally. I can do what I choose on any given workday, but the others who work here are bound by the work they are accountable for producing.
Said another way, when you are responsible you have a degree of ownership and personal investment. The outcomes are what you must focus on because what you are called to answer for is within your control.
When you are accountable, you are more task-focused.
If you like what your reading and this resonates with you, as your ‘Accountability Coach’ I’ll keep you on track, so you keep those promises and commitments made to others and yourself.
If we do this right, you’ll increase your sales, service your clients better, make more money and work fewer hours. Now you can spend it with those that are most important and not doing work.
Visit my website to find how we can work together: https://tickthoseboxes.com.au
If you need help with your business, I work with entrepreneurial business owners, executives and their teams to ensure full accountability so they can meet obligations, promises and commitments made to others and themselves. My name is Darren Finkelstein: Accountability Coach, Business Advisor and Presenter.
Visit my website for more info https://tickthoseboxes.com.au or reach out to us at questions@tickthoseboxes.com.au
In the fields of leadership, personal development, and responsibility, Darren Finkelstein, popularly known as The Accountability Guy®, is a shining star. His story is one of perseverance, self-reinvention, and the deep metamorphosis he has attained by elevating responsibility to the status of superpower.
Darren has carved up a remarkable career for himself as a dynamic author and speaker, international accountability coach, advisor, mentor, and mentor that cuts across borders and industries. His influence extends beyond New Zealand and Australia to the many cultural contexts of Europe, Asia, Latin America, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Darren has emerged as a key figure in the lives of high-achieving individuals and teams thanks to his creative coaching courses, which help them reach their objectives and realize their full potential. Darren’s bestselling book “The Accountability Advantage – Play your best game,” which establishes the foundation for his lessons, is at the center of his methodology. As interest in his next book, ‘NO’-Building a life of choice without obligation,” which is due out later this year, grows, Darren never stops inspiring and encouraging people with his distinct perspectives on accountability.
Darren uses a simple but effective method: Get Clarity on what needs to be done first, Get Started on what needs to be done next, and Get Sh*t Done by knowing what needs to be done more of. Under Darren’s leadership, this strategy has helped innumerable people and groups burst their objectives like glass piñatas, unleashing their aspirations and utilizing the accountability superpower.
As Apple Australia’s Manager of Commercial Markets during the ground-breaking Steve Jobs era, Darren made a substantial contribution to the company’s history. Afterwards, before beginning his coaching and mentoring career, Darren and his business partner successfully sold and exited their lifestyle companies. Darren’s depth as a coach is enhanced by his rich background, which combines technological understanding with innovative accountability techniques.
Darren Finkelstein provides hope and a road to success for people who want to use accountability to improve their personal and professional lives. Accompany him on this transformative quest to accomplish the remarkable. Read Darren’s full Bio here:
Read Darren’s full Bio here: https://tickthoseboxes.com.au/
Know what to do first
know what to do next
know what to do more of
"You can't buy happiness, but Getting Stuff Done is pretty much the same thing"
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