In this episode, we’ll be looking at something that we all are in our personal and professional lives, and at the same time, something upon which we rely on in others in every area of our lives. This is relevant for an individual, a team or an organisation.
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are and welcome to the latest post to the My Coach Ben Blog.
What is Accountability?
As you know, I’m a stickler for a definition and so I have here the definition has provided by our good friend, the Oxford English Dictionary:
Accountability, noun, the effect, or condition of being accountable for responsibility.
“Lack of accountability has corroded public respect for business and political leaders.“
Perhaps a somewhat controversial example there from the Oxford English dictionary, but from that alone, we get an idea as to the importance of accountability in our daily lives, as well as in our professional lives.
Accountability refers to the responsibility placed upon individuals or organisations to behave reliably and transparently, taking ownership for their actions and accepting liability for their outcomes.
Being accountable means taking personal responsibility for our behaviours and decisions both towards ourselves and towards other – it ensures that tasks get finished on time, commitments are honoured, mistakes identified and corrected promptly.
Trust between peers is strengthened for improved overall effectiveness in relationships, work settings or governance environments – these all play an essential part.
Accountability in the Workplace
Accountability plays an essential part of workplace culture by building trust among employees while increasing responsibility and productivity in the office environment. Here are a few key ways accountability has an effect:
1. Trust and Reliability: Individuals that take responsibility for their actions and meet commitments build trust among team members and stakeholders, creating accountability among everyone so that all can rely on one another to carry out their responsibilities successfully.
2. Performance and Productivity: Holding employees responsible for their tasks and goals helps motivate them to perform at their absolute best. Individuals that know they will be held responsible tend to take it more seriously and strive for excellence, ultimately increasing overall workplace productivity.
3. Problem Solving and Learning: Accountability fosters an atmosphere conducive to problem-solving and continuous education. Individuals held responsible for their actions tend to identify issues quickly, creating an atmosphere in which employees learn from past errors while discovering innovative solutions together.
4. Clear Communication and Align: Accountability is crucial in maintaining clear communication and alignment within teams. By clearly outlining tasks and responsibilities, tracking progress becomes much simpler while assuring all members are working toward similar goals – ultimately leading to improved coordination and cooperation within groups.
5. Employee Morale and Engagement: Creating an environment of accountability can have a dramatic effect on employee motivation and engagement, helping employees feel that their contributions are appreciated, which in turn increases job satisfaction as well as team morale.
The Coaching Perspective
From the coaching perspective, Accountability plays a key role in one reaching a desired point/place or state. In fact, accountability is arguably the most important tool in coaching. In terms of questions, here are five examples to consider and build upon:
1. What actions have you taken to demonstrate accountability for your assigned tasks?
2. What areas of accountability may have lapsed been identified as well as any plans in place to address them?
3. How are you actively tracking and measuring progress towards goals and targets to ensure accountability?
4. What, if any strategies or systems been put in place that hold yourself accountable for meeting deadlines while producing high-quality work?
5. How are you seeking feedback and input from others to increase the accountability?
To summarise
As we’ve seen, accountability affects every area of our lives. From our work to our personal relationships. Often, we see examples of a lack of accountability. Be it when we face delays in travelling, to dealing with authorities, colleagues and friends alike.
A lack of accountability leads to a loss of trust and as a result a lack of progress. Sometimes it’s best to accept and admit that something has not gone to plan, just as important as it is to celebrate our wins.
Vulnerability is what makes us human. In many ways, it’s how we can identify with eachother and express our humility.
Should you need help with Accountability issues, either personally, or in your organisation, by all means get in touch. I will have a program that can help.
Until next time,
Your Coach Ben