When a leader is not accountable or refuses to take ownership of any failures, it can have disastrous rippling effects. Here are some of the biggest problems caused by a lack of accountability.
Resentment
If a leader refuses to admit their wrongdoing or take accountability, it can create a sense of resentment. Usually, even the best communicators on the team cannot ask a leader to be accountable. Unsolicited feedback may be misconstrued as criticism, and without a channel for healthy communication, resentment only increases.
Lack of Respect and Trust
Say, for instance, a leader claims to do something, does it, fails at it, and then does not own it. Such behaviour causes a lack of trust and respect for the leadership. When there is no trust, there is no honesty or transparency and consequently less engagement. Eventually, employees do not feel aligned with the company’s core values and start looking for other opportunities.
Bad Example Setting
Leaders with their conduct and values set the tone for the organization. So, when a leader refuses to take accountability, it trickles down through the hierarchy. Eventually, there is chaos, and nobody remains accountable.
Knowing the implications of a lack of accountability among leadership, it is safe to say that accountability guarantees quality leadership.