Let's Lean Into Accountability

Let’s lean into accountability. Solid accountability is one of the most important markers of any successful company, employee, or leader.

If that’s not clear enough, allow me to say it another way. The LACK of solid accountability is a surefire indicator of a business that is not reaching its potential and a leader who is pulling their hair out daily.

Often, when I sign on a new client, lack of accountability is one of the first issues I uncover. Leaders often struggle to hold people accountable for Excellence. Almost always, it’s either because they don’t have enough TIME or enough COURAGE.

Allow me to help you with that.

Start by hiring great people who hold themselves accountable and expect to be held accountable, as well. If you lose someone because you skillfully and tactfully held them accountable, that’s called addition by subtraction, so don’t be afraid of it.

Now create a simple process that ensures regular accountability without a whole lot of time and discovery needed by leadership. “I don’t have the time” is a poor excuse because in my experience, business owners don’t have the time because they’re either too busy doing someone else’s work, or they’re spending so much time putting out fires because of the lack of accountability.

Great leaders will do this:

1. Be PAINFULLY PATIENT and selective when hiring. (This will always be #1)

2. Implement a self-driven training program to continuously improve your team’s skills.

3. Write down in very clear terms what your expectations are for all tasks and projects. (Remember, they are not YOU, and likely can’t read your mind).

4. Meet with your people regularly to review their work and give feedback.

5. Be kind, firm, and corrective. Great people want to be challenged.

6. When deserved, recognize and praise people for their effort, attitude, and results. (Be specific to ensure that behavior is repeated).

7. Collectively set a deadline for projects and tasks.

8. Stop settling for B minus work.

9. And whatever you do, stop doing the work for them!

10. Quickly replace people who are negative, toxic, divisive, or who consistently underperform.

Doing ALL OF THESE THINGS is necessary to keep your hair where it belongs. You can’t pick and choose from the list.

What would happen if you left the garlic out of the list of ingredients for your tomato sauce?

Now the million-dollar question: Who’s holding YOU accountable? Every great leader needs someone to hold them accountable as well.

Hint: I’m pretty good at it.