Last episode I focused on the definition of accountability and the importance of understanding what it means, and more important what it doesn’t mean (aka, blame and fear).

Let’s focus now on how to create an atmosphere of accountability and explore it as a practice.

Ex: You are on a team to explore and enhance customer experience practices:  tere is a project manager, you, the rest of the team, & your manager.  When you consider accountability, who is the most accountable for the results of that project team?  What % would you give each?  What are all those numbers and who’s number is the highest? 

What I commonly find in training, is that often the %’s for accountability are highest for the PM, followed by ourselves, the rest of the team, and the manager the least.  Because the PM is in charge, and the manager would probably be pretty hands off.  

Often this is how we think about accountability.  We think of who is more and who is less.  We sometime think about whoever is in charge, or in power is most accountable.  If something goes wrong, they have to take the ownership, right?  

But there are flaws with this way of thinking….because what if you were rather than considering a customer experience, you were going into an operating room for surgery.  Would you say the surgeon is the most accountable and that others are less so?  Do you want the anesthesiologist or any attending nurses to be less than 100%?  Is there any job or role less important or vital to the success of the surgery? Any one who you would want to show up less than 100% accountable?  Are they not all equally and fully accountable?  

Because accountability means that we own up to our own actions.  That we are answerable to the outcome.  That we’re willing to look back at our actions/inactions, decisions/non-decisions, and choices and own them—good or bad.

Which means everyone can be 100% accountable.  That’s right.  Simultaneously.  For those of us who think about who is “more” and who is “less” accountable have a hard time wrapping our brain about this mindset.  But that is exactly what we need to get more accountability.  

Step 1: put the emphasis on clear responsibility.  Make sure others understand and commit to the role, task or project.  Responsibility can be shared, as long as roles are clear.  

Step 2:  give ownership over getting the role, task or project done. Which means they will try new things,  make mistakes, take some risks.  Ownership cannot be shared. Ownership means we take the actions that are needed to accomplish the goals.  We give it our all.

Step 3: is accountability. This is the ongoing process, the looking back, assessing what we’ve done or not.  It means we are disciplined enough to ask the hard questions, and also strong enough to recognize and celebrate our accomplishments.

So if you want more accountability in your life, change your mindset first.  Know that you can be 100% accountable and responsible at all times.  Know that accountability is a process and a practice.  It starts with clear expectations, one’s that are agreed to.  We then give ownership to others, to allow them to take risks and make mistakes.  Remember that someone allowed you this grace as well.  And finally we demonstrate accountability.  That willingness to own up to our actions, choices and decisions.  We are answerable to the outcome that we created.

Accountability takes awareness, understanding and discipline.  And I have the confidence in you to achieve it.  Want to know h

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course:  https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader