You'll hear this term thrown about in seminars and workshops - usually linked with Responsibility and Ownership...
But what does it actually mean...?
If I am gong to be held accountable for my actions, results and behavior; I am going to be really careful what I do...
For example - and you can try this...
When you are driving next - just check on these few points...
But what does it actually mean...?
If I am gong to be held accountable for my actions, results and behavior; I am going to be really careful what I do...
For example - and you can try this...
When you are driving next - just check on these few points...
- Do you ever exceed the speed limit - especially when entering a built up area or on transitioning between zones...?
- Do you let the wheel spin through your hands rather than slide it through from hand to hand...?
- Have you ever eaten a sandwich, had a drink from a can or bottle, or lit a cigarette whilst driving...?
- Have you ever followed a car closer than recommended in the Highway Code...?
- Ever exited a roundabout without indicating...?
And so on - if we are honest, we all make small transgressions when we drive; and if you are one of the perfect ones, just look around I'm sure "others" are doing them all the time...
If we had a Police Officer in the car with us - sometimes we would probably lose our licence in a single journey with accumulated points...
OK - so it's not a picture of a Police Officer but they used to have Panda Cars...!
Now, imagine having said Police Officer with you; how would your behaviour, mood and style change; how much better would your lane discipline, speed control and awareness be...?
You would likely drive just below the speed limit - "It's a limit not a target..." - be attentive, courteous and aware - you'd drive safer and more economically, and you'd keep your licence...
So where is the Problem...?
Simply put we are not perfect and cannot be held accountable to perfection - we are human and flawed accordingly...
The same principle applies to activities outside of a vehicle...
The same principle applies to activities outside of a vehicle...
In order to be successful in business and life, of course we need to play by the rules; legal , moral and ethical..
AND...
We need to try new things, take some risks, have some fun and innovate in order to create something amazing...
We can't do that if we are "accountable" for every action we take - we'd never do anything new if that was the case...
Fear of making mistakes, getting it wrong or looking silly is are all ways that creativity, risk taking and success are achieved.
We can't do that if we are "accountable" for every action we take - we'd never do anything new if that was the case...
Fear of making mistakes, getting it wrong or looking silly is are all ways that creativity, risk taking and success are achieved.
Accountability is all well and good - but so is getting it wrong, so is making a hash of something new and picking yourself up and having another go...
The business world and personal development world has gone crazy for Accountability; we have entered the "blame" culture, the "no win no fee" mindset where we want everyone to be accountable for everything - except ourselves of course...
How about if we encouraged some risk taking, allowed people to get it wrong and still not get fired, fined or shouted at...?
How much more would your team produce if they had some freedom to explore the possibilities - how about if they were accountable for outcomes and not just processes, for added value not check-sheets, and relationships not scripts...?
The business world and personal development world has gone crazy for Accountability; we have entered the "blame" culture, the "no win no fee" mindset where we want everyone to be accountable for everything - except ourselves of course...
How about if we encouraged some risk taking, allowed people to get it wrong and still not get fired, fined or shouted at...?
How much more would your team produce if they had some freedom to explore the possibilities - how about if they were accountable for outcomes and not just processes, for added value not check-sheets, and relationships not scripts...?
If we want to get the best from our "Human Resources" - we should probably stop referring to them as "resources" and start calling them individuals and people...
We should also allow them to behave as humans do - imperfect and unpredictable, emotional rather than logical and flawed not perfect.
We should also allow them to behave as humans do - imperfect and unpredictable, emotional rather than logical and flawed not perfect.
It's why pencils have rubbers, Word has spell-check, and cars have airbags - because we are not machines...
So build your team around a set of principles and values that of course include rules, processes and procedures - but also give them degrees of freedom to experiment, fall over and get things wrong...
Nothing great was ever created that was perfect from the start - except of course the very humans that 100% accountability attempts to harness...
About David Holland
MInstPkg Dip, HNC, DMS, MBA (Dist), Underwater Welding Dip Hons, CPU Dr14...
I work with Business Owners, Executives and their Teams to:
✔ Make more Money in their Business...
✔ Build Effective and Productive Teams...
✔ Work Less Hours and enjoy the Journey...
✔ Grow Sales, Profit and Cash...
✔ Achieve more than they think is possible...
✔ Build Effective and Productive Teams...
✔ Work Less Hours and enjoy the Journey...
✔ Grow Sales, Profit and Cash...
✔ Achieve more than they think is possible...
To find out more about how I can help you, send me a connection request on LinkedIn, or send me a message if we are already connected
- Email - davidholland@resultsrulesok.com
- FOLLOW me onTwitter: @DavidHollandMBA
- WEB: www.resultsrulesok.com
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