Accountability is defined as having the responsibility and authority to act and fully accept the natural and logical consequences of chosen actions. Personal accountability is a commendable trait that everyone should strive to attain. When in a leadership role, it is vital to create a culture of accountability for your team.
Accountability in Business
There is power in social expectations. For most people, these expectations act as an extra level of motivation to not fall short and disappoint others who rely on you. For example, if you tell your colleagues that you will have a project done by a particular deadline, that set expectation from others will most likely encourage you to stick to it.
A study from the American Society of Training and Development (ATD) found that you have a 65% chance of completing a goal if you have someone to hold you accountable. In addition, if you incorporate regular accountability check-ins, your chance of completing your goal will increase to 95%. This means that by defining your end goal and working with others to achieve your expectations, you are almost guaranteed to succeed.
Utilizing Accountability in a Leadership Role
While taking accountability for yourself as a leader is important, it is also important that you push others to do so as well. According to a 2013 survey by AMA (American Management Association) Enterprise, a fifth of all business leaders believe that 30 to 50 percent of employees aren’t held accountable for their performance. As a leader, it is crucial to hold your employees accountable for their actions. Otherwise, they will not thrive and grow at a steady rate. It is important that employees recognize the consequences of their actions, in order to do perform to the best of their ability.
Encourage a culture of responsibility and accountability. This is essential to creating a work environment in which workers can thrive and succeed. Don’t be afraid to lead by example and take accountability for your own actions. Over time, the example you set will leave a lasting impact.