How to Create a Culture of Accountability

women sitting in desk chair leaning forward. office behind her. she has a slight smile.

The biggest mistake leaders make with accountability is trying to hold their team accountable. This creates over-dependence on the leader and results in exhaustive efforts trying to get others to take responsibility.
As a leader, you’re either creating healthy culture or subconsciously taking it down.

Creating healthy culture starts with modeling accountability.
Take ownership of your actions and decisions, admit when you make mistakes, and follow through on your commitments. When employees see their leaders being accountable, your company culture will shift in a positive direction.

It’s important to set clear expectations for your employees, including specific goals, objectives, and performance standards.

This will help everyone understand what is expected of them and how their work contributes to the organization’s overall success.

Provide regular feedback. Regular feedback is important for helping employees stay on track and understand how their work aligns with the organization’s goals. Make sure to provide both positive and constructive feedback, and help employees identify areas where they can improve. Ask questions (see ideas below) as well as affirm where you see your team doing well and share the performance gaps that need to be addressed with clear expectations.

Invest in training and development. Team training helps employees build the skills they need to be successful and take ownership of their work. Provide opportunities for professional growth and development, and make sure employees have the resources they need to succeed. If you don’t know what resources they need, ask them!

Ask Leader As Coach questions. Coaching as a leader is not just a list of questions, however, I know that you probably want some ideas, because it’s something my clients ask for.

Here are some ideas:

  1. What do you need for this to be successful?
  2. What resources would be helpful to you?
  3. What do you need to say or do for this issue to be resolved?
  4. What’s it going to take to get there?
  5. What is working well?
  6. What isn’t working well?
  7. What, if anything needs to change?

If this is an area you need help in, you’re not alone.

Leadership skills take time and practice (I cannot emphasize this part more) to become a habit. This is what modern leadership looks and sounds like.

What will you commit to doing this week to help improve your company culture and build an environment of accountability?

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I offer a limited number of team development trainings each year. I specialize in engaging with your team to help them shatter limiting beliefs, bad habits, and apathy that keeps them from reaching their goals. Get in touch with me and let’s find out how I can help your team.

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