How Is Accountability Used In A Business?

The Accountability Guy®

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Have you ever found yourself working in a company that frequently misses deadlines, abandons all commitments, and breaks promises? If the answer is yes, this company probably missed out on accountability during its strategy.

Therefore, a key to a successful company is accountability, and developing accountability in the workplace is often the secret to a successful team. The reason is, accountability helps to foster healthy relationships at workplaces and improves the overall quality of work.

However, the word accountability is often related to negative emotions like the fear of being caught. This is because people, in general, have become used to the disciplinary meaning of “being accountable.” What they fail to realize is that it is much more than that.

In this article, we will walk you through how and why accountability is used in a workplace.

So, let’s get started, folks!

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What Is Accountability In A Workplace?

Accountability in a workplace means that all your actions will have consequences, whether as an entry-level employee or a senior manager.

For example, as a manager, if you discriminate against another employee, they will be accountable to the seniors, who then have the freedom to fire you.

As an employee, if you have very low productivity or do not perform well within your division, you will be held accountable.

By incorporating the habit of taking responsibility and being accountable for one’s actions, you can significantly improve the company’s overall performance. Therefore, the company will need to undergo training in project management skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and so on to develop the art of accountability.

How Is Accountability Used In The Workplace?

Accountability within a company’s culture can be seen in 4 different aspects, and they are as follows.

Accountability Helps Boost The Company’s Culture & Work Ethics

Working in an organization involves teamwork throughout all levels. If accountability is lacking in even one of the teammates, it can create a “snowball effect,” which can be seen in the entire team.

However, if a company stands strong and united with accountability, you will know that integrity and honesty have been embedded in the workplace. This allows all employees to accept and acknowledge their errors without any fear. This way, they can learn how to reflect on their actions and work better, thereby improving its culture.

The best way to teach the spirit of unity for accountability is to set realistic goals. While working on a project, learn how you can build trust amongst the other employees. Constantly motivate them and celebrate the successes with the entire organization.

Accountability Helps Enhance Individual Performance.

Whether you are an employee or a big-time manager, there is always something you can do to perform better in the company to get the most out of your goals.

Accountability in the workplace helps to promote unity and engagement throughout the entire company. They will be aware of the company’s goals and set individual goals and select the target goal. This creates a sense of unity as they will all be able to see the big picture.

Accountability Helps The Employees To Follow The Rules

Be it new law, guideline, standard, or regulation, being compliant with these rules will help them meet the good work standards and understand what the consequences are if they fail to follow them.

All members of a company need to stand tall, strong, and united. This helps create a happier, healthier environment where employees can focus more on their work n instead of constantly looking over their shoulder because of another employee’s inappropriate work behavior.

Accountability Helps Save Time

Last but not least, accountability is very important to save time. When accountability is only being preached and not practiced in a workplace, you lose half your time solving all company problems. Instead of working together, you tend to fall back, pushing your organization backward.

In this case, accountability will help inspire and motivate employees to improve their performance and meet their deadlines on time. This will keep the employees engaged at all times, which will help you out-perform all the other competitor organizations.

Needless to say, a good amount of accountability at the workplace helps to keep the train of thoughts and ideas flowing effortlessly with timely execution.

How Can You Incorporate Accountability In Your Workplace?

Undoubtedly, accountability is one of the most vital elements to keep your organization up and running. However, it can be quite overwhelming for the employees. Therefore, the first step is to describe what accountability is and what it means for the company.

Answer all their questions and make them understand the outcome of an organization functioning without accountability and what the employees need always to be creative and innovative. Next, set realistic, clear goals and clarify who has the responsibility of which role. Also, mention to them what are the guideline and expectations they need to follow to the T.

Lastly, give your employees the freedom to take the wheel. Please allow them to work through a problem in the way they feel most comfortable. However, set certain parameters like expectations and deadlines and constantly motivate them to do better.

If they make a mistake, tell them to find a way to fix the issue and grow from that experience.

This way, they will be more productive and happier, which helps save both time and money while also boosting the business.

Wrapping Up

Good behaviors and practices can indeed be hard to impose. However, if you decide to take the easy way out by avoiding accountability, you can be sure that everything else will fall apart too.

Therefore, it is always best advised to develop holding yourself and the employees accountable for their actions. This will help benefit you, your relationships, and your company in the long run.

About The Author

Darren Finkelstein, The Accountability Guy®, is the founder of TICK THOSE BOXES, a specialised accountability coaching practice. Darren is a formidable international accountability coach, business advisor, mentor, and author/speaker, fostering development and measurable results in entrepreneurship, leadership, and accountability. Darren’s tale is one of perseverance, self-reinvention, and resilience.

With compelling execution, Darren has empowered high-achieving individuals and teams from Australia and New Zealand to Latin America, Europe, Asia, the UK, and the US to embrace accountability; after all, it is your superpower.

Darren’s one-on-one and group coaching programs are based on his bestselling business book, “The Accountability Advantage – Play your best game” and the latest, release “NO’ – Building a life of choice without obligation”.

Darren has an impressive background in business, having held the role of “Manager of Commercial Markets” at Apple Australia during the Steve Jobs revolution.

He enthusiastically “walks the talk,” having also successfully sold and exited his lifestyle businesses, which served as the impetus for establishing his coaching and mentoring business.

Join Darren on this transformative quest to accomplish the remarkable.

Read Darren’s full bio here:
https://tickthoseboxes.com.au/about/