At a distance, I noticed Wayne, a senior executive of an engineering firm walking to towards me with head down and the gait of a burdened individual.
I asked Wayne, “What is wrong, you look burdened and forlorn.” Wayne’s eyes met mine while he was shaking his head. He responded by saying “I don’t understand. We are building a multimillion-dollar machine and we can’t get the technicians to clean out the extra nuts and bolts. It seems impossible to find ways of holding them accountable to finish the job. What can I do?”
As I listened to Wayne, I began to wonder why holding people accountable is so difficult. I grew up learning that self-responsibility and being accountable to oneself in business was a competitive advantage.
As many other executive coaching clients have bemoaned the challenges of holding people accountable, I continue to reflect on strategies. However, in today’s world, without command and control and insubordination, holding people accountable has become both an art and science.
From my reflections here are Five Strategies for Holding Yourself and Others Accountable:
- Hold accountable by modeling accountability – Character counts in leadership and in life. By holding yourself accountable, others will emulate. You hold yourself accountable by delivering on your promises and promising delivery.
- Clarity of expectations – One reason people are not accountable is they are unclear about what is expected of them. When asking someone to do something, be clear about what you want delivered, by what date, and with what quality.
- Communicate aspiration – When providing direction, communicate “what is in it for them?” Since people are motivated through self-interest, making sure you let them know the benefits of delivering on a promise has a higher probability of success.
- Employ a constellation of consequences – Since fear is a powerful motivator, find ways of expressing either verbally or non-verbally disapproval for not being accountable and approval for being accountable.
- Shorten deadlines-since “work expands to fill the time available” using shorter deadlines can be effective in getting people to meet deadlines.
Coach’s Note:
Holding people and oneself accountable is complicated. It requires a strong mind since no one wants to risk being disliked. Strengthening your ability to hold yourself and others accountable is time well spent. As Wayne was forlorn when technicians wouldn’t clean up, effective accountability can guarantee feelings of accomplishment. The choice is yours! Remember accountability counts!