Last week, I asked you to send me your leadership challenges. Thanks for the response! Although I’ve received enough for many, many weeks of blog posts, I encourage you to continue to send them my way. On Friday each week, I’ll respond to one of your questions. Today’s Challenge: How do you hold people accountable?
This is a question I’ve been asked many times over the years. And, like many of the questions I receive, the answer is complex. Here’s my best shot at a 500-word response.
My assumption is what you really want is not to hold people accountable as much as you want a culture of accountability. There’s a big difference. If you are successful creating the right culture, this question largely goes away. YOU no longer hold people accountable, the culture does. A culture is the sum of the habits of its members. If being accountable becomes part of the culture, it will be the behavioral norm.
Here are four specific things you can do to begin creating a culture of accountability…
State your intentions. Unapologetically, tell people your desire to create a place in which people do what they say they are going to do. You may even want to include this in your core values or team norms. Don’t make people wonder if this is important to you or not.
Rebrand accountability. For many reasons, when you and I say accountability, the general connotation is negative. You’ve got to begin changing that. Help people rethink the purpose and intent of accountability. It is not primarily to catch people doing something wrong. It is about helping people do what they want to do. It is about helping people, and the organization, be more successful. The Marines do not see it as a negative that they hold each other accountable to high standards. They see this as a badge of honor. You need to establish the same attitude.
Use systems and mechanisms. Tools, techniques, systems and structure can help people be more accountable. One easy way to begin the journey is to simply document your Action Items during your meetings – specifically, who is going to do what, by when? Circulate the Action Items immediately after the meeting; send them out again three days before the next meeting; and finally, review past Action Items during the meeting. This simple mechanism can revolutionize a team and an organization.
Model the behavior. If you want people to be accountable, you had better be accountable. I’ve stayed up all night to complete an Action Item before a meeting. Why? Because I told the team I would get it done. I’m guessing members of my team have done the same. I’m thankful to say we’ve created a culture where people do what they say they are going to do.
Creating a culture of accountability is challenging but worth the effort. Start today and don’t look back. Some day down the road, when accountability is part of the fabric of your team, you’ll be glad you made the journey.[GLS_Shield]
Great post. I love the idea of creating a culture of accountability. When everyone is aspiring for the same goal, culture accountability will be the natural result.
Thanks, Tagrid! I appreciate you joining the conversation. Mark
I just keep sharing the facts till The First Follower listen! Till then I just seem like a nutjob!!!!! LOL
What we been doing Leadership wise in America………..70% employees leaving work feeling no one cares about them. FACT recent gallop poll. Do not like it, take it up with Gallop.
Then Barry Wehmiller, People Centric Leadership, Truly Human Leadership. 72% Employees love their jobs. 15% Dividend to shareholders over the last 5 years and Warren Buffet dividend 4%.
Making money and making better people.
Just BETTER!
Keep sharing it till someone listens!
You wanna listen, Free Youtube video. Bob Chapman Defining Moments.
People have a right to their own opinion and do of course, no one has the right to their own facts. They are what they are.
Have a great day!
I am
Shifterp OUT! ps I know Mark you are doing amazing work. I am sure you and your folks are part of the 30%. That still leaves 70% out in the cold. Lets do something about it!
Scott, thanks for your passion around this topic. I’ve said before, the Gallup findings are an indictment on leadership. We can treat people with honor, dignity and respect and still run a very successful business or non-profit organization. The answer is servant leadership! That’s why i write this blog. Thanks for joining the conversation! Mark
I just spoke to our team leader about Accountability last week. Everyone loves the word. Everyone hates what it means. They actually have to do something because ‘it’ belongs to them. Personal accountability means when I’m responsible for a task, I don’t hopefully expect it to evaporate. I have to take steps to complete it. I’m not projecting guilt on anyone in pointing this out. The fact is – things need to be done. If everyone is responsible, no one is responsible. That’s why we make assignments and ask that the not be ignored – but take some action toward completion until it’s done. Tough, but necessary.
Thanks, Jane. Accountability can be tough. That’s whey a think creating the culture of accountability is the goal. Stay the course! Mark