Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group recently released a great episode on their podcast (click here to listen). It is only 20 minutes and is packed with great takeaways. The title is “Hold Yourself Accountable” and discusses accountability at work, specifically the importance of holding your peers accountable, and what role you play in that as a part of the team (owner, manager, team member, etc).
Here are some of the main take-aways:
As a leader, you must lead by example. This means you have to take the first step and openly hold your employees accountable in front of the team. This sounds harsh, but that is only because accountability is uncomfortable at first. As we often say, get comfortable being uncomfortable! Over time your team will get used to it and a culture of accountability will be built. By providing them an example you are giving them permission to do this not only amongst themselves but also with you.
Peer-to-peer accountability is the most effective – no one wants to fail their teammates. Although it is always upsetting to disappoint your boss, there is something worse about disappointing your team.
It is harder to confront someone regarding behavioral items than to let them continue on a path of failure until their results are poor enough you have to fire them. Make the hard choice, be uncomfortable. It will result in their growth and yours.
Take the emotional relationship risk and tell your teammates when they need to do better. The risk is only short-term: an uncomfortable conversation. In the medium term, (not even the long term!) they will turn around and be thankful you held them accountable!
Accountability is Kindness. This falls in line with a phrase we use often “Clear is Kind, Unclear is Unkind”. If you truly CARE about the people on your team, you will hold them accountable for their actions and results. Otherwise, you are standing by as they take a path that leads to failure. Which negatively impacts both them and the company.
Most importantly, holding your team accountable has to start with you (hence, the title). If you want to hold others accountable, you have to be accountable to them and open to letting them confront you.
You can find the podcast here: “Hold Yourself Accountable” from At the Table with Patrick Lencioni.
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