I have had the privilege of running my own organization and
I know from firsthand experience the importance of accountability in the work
place. I strongly believe in hierarchies and observing protocol no matter the
setting, I know that probably sounds out dated more so for the dot com
generation but certain principles are simply eternal, that is they cut across
generations. I work with young people who come in believing they can do what
they want whenever they want to and still get away with it.
I come from a generation that was raised to be accountable
right from home to your work place. I find it odd when a colleague just storms
out of the office without any notification and the rest of us have to figure
out where you went in case someone needs you. I find it even more disturbing
when people spend company time and resources attending to personal work without
a sense of remorse for breach of contract in some way. Accountability is a
timeless principle that we must embrace even in the workplace.
Employee accountability is the ability of an employee
to satisfy expectations and responsibilities to anyone impacted by their
actions. This includes internal agents such as managers, investors and other
employees but also external agents such as customers, business partners and
more. Accountability at work is important to a business’s success as a whole.
Every employee, no matter what level of seniority is equally responsible for
aiding in the success of the company.
At minimum, taking ownership means that if you recognize
something is material to achieving results, that you take the initiative to
bring it to the attention of the right people. If ownership is about taking
initiative, accountability is about follow through and getting done what you
said you’d get done. It’s recognizing that other team members are dependent on
the results of your work and not wanting to let them down. It’s about good,
open, pro-active communication to keep team members informed on the status of
your commitments because you respect that the results of your work has a direct
impact on their ability to make their own commitments.
Employees should keep their peers accountable when they fail
to meet up to the demands of their job, in the same way they should recognize
them when they do good work. Because if employees look around and see that some
individuals can do certain things and get away with them, then they
will grow resentful that some can get away with those behaviors but
others can’t.
Monitoring your employees’ progress will help motivate them
to be more productive and accountable. It is only natural that when we know
someone is watching our progress that we will try to perform to our best
abilities. Along with monitoring employee progress, it is equally important to
share progress reports with them so they may learn what areas need more
attention and what areas they are excelling in.
Personal accountability at work can encompass everything
from employees being accountable for themselves, making themselves
indispensable, to managers and people in leadership roles showing personal
accountability in order to foster an environment of accountability in the
office with their employees. If you are not in a management role, demonstrating
accountability at work will prove that you are a valuable asset to the company
and it will make you an indispensable commodity.
If you are a manager or in a management position, displaying
personal accountability will help build a culture of accountability in your
company. Your employees will watch as you create an acceptance and
understanding of accountability, and will more than likely follow your actions.
Knowing that personal accountability is something that even the management is
responsible for will help employees feel balanced and bonded through that
shared responsibility.
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