The business plan is written. The conversation has been had. Everyone has agreed. What else is there to do, but reap the rewards of the preparation work and watch the outcome unfold?
Unfortunately, this is never the case. I feel the hardest task for leaders is not in the pre consultation or the post conversation, but the people accountability. The outcome does not materialise because of a Business Plan mapped out like Google Maps. The outcome comes from leaders taking responsibility to ensure the people entrusted with delivery of the outcome have the key elements of support.
“Accountability is delivering on a commitment, using initiative to follow through and take responsibility for an outcome.” “Thriving Leaders” Claire Gray
This is why accountability is such a difficult task for a leader as it takes time and patience to support the team.
But it can be made easier with a few key elements to consider for keeping the process and people accountable.
*Capacity, Clarity, Check-In and Outcome.
Capacity – Have the individuals got the skill set and resources to complete the task?
Clarity– Do the individuals understand what the expectations are and how the outcome changes the status quo?
Check-ins – Time is always against the outcome and by touching base incidentally to offer support or extra resources needs to be factored in.
Outcomes – The deadline has arrived and what was the final score? Are we rejoicing and celebrating our efforts? Do we need to review the performance? Is it time to refer the performance for better understanding?
Any task, no matter how few steps, requires an accountability factor. The best scenario is the team nodding their head at the idea and then later high- fiving at the outcome.
The level of accountability steps will determine the level of outcome.
Are your leaders utilising their accountability muscle?
(*Variation and acknowledgement to Claire Gray’s four principles “Thriving Leaders”)
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