Accountability is a word that erupted as mainstream due to numerous
corporate scandals and the economic and competitive challenges that abound.
It
is no longer just a term used for accounting practices; it is now a behavioural
expectation in leadership. As such, "Accountability" is being enforced by many
organizations as ‘the way we do business around here’.
Claiming a value of accountability in is one thing; living
and breathing the necessary behaviours to enable it is another. Why is that?
We are human and like to be nice. Holding others accountable
is a scary place to venture due to many perceived risks.
In order to be
accountable, one must be willing to hold others accountable. That is the hard
part – it is viewed as conflict. But it becomes much simpler when you have the
know-how to hold a crucial conversation and reduce potential risk.
The
following insights and tips are based on the research and practical tools and
techniques discussed in the book “Crucial Accountability”:
Dissecting Accountability
In order to begin trying to embed the right behaviours in
holding others accountable, we need to better understand the root cause of
avoidance. What is the challenge we have to overcome, what is the problem with
it and what is the end result if we avoid it?
The challenge:
Fear of facilitating these perceived negative conversations
as people have an inherent feeling that it is not nice and is a dangerous place to go.
The problem with this thinking:
The cost of silence could be deadly. Many businesses experience damaging consequences in the long-term as people do not speak up when problems or violations occur.
The cost of silence could be deadly. Many businesses experience damaging consequences in the long-term as people do not speak up when problems or violations occur.
It’s a fine line
between saying something and risking the chance of creating a new problem, and
saying nothing and perpetuating an existing problem.
The end result:
Lack of accountability leads to business risk such as increased costs, lost productivity, distrust and lack of innovation.
Lack of accountability leads to business risk such as increased costs, lost productivity, distrust and lack of innovation.
There are clear benefits to those who don’t just talk about
accountability, but walk it by motivating and educating employees on how to hold
others accountable.
So how does one go about engaging in this courageous
conversation? The Accountability Conversation Model will take us through the
critical steps in this journey.
Accountability Conversation Model
Next time we will explore these steps in more detail.
Glen
