During one of my business coaching sessions the other day we discussed accountability and what it means to be accountable as a leader and as a leader what it means to be accountable. As Vice Presidents, Chief Operating Officers and other similar positions, we are responsible for leading our teams and accountable to ensuring that we are assembling the best possible teams, but we are also responsible to upper management for company profitability and more. As high-ranking officers in our companies, we need to be dynamic, nimble and ready for anything.
As leaders we are head accountable by company presidents, shareholders and board of directors. We must also hold our teams accountable and everything who reports to us accountable for their actions and job performance. Jeff Bezos believes that high standards are contagious. If we are mediocre leaders and do not have an accountable leadership style, then we are developing and training the next generation of leadership for the company to be the exact same way. No one wants to work for a leader who allows others to slack off and consistently not perform for the team and others have to do the additional work.
The Harvard Business Review found that accountability was one of the top neglected behaviors among leaders globally. We as leaders need to hold not only those who we report to accountable, but those who report to us just as accountable. Accountability is a choice and decision that we make. Will we incorporate it into our management style or are we going to let the inmates run the asylum.
When I present information to my teams, I want them to hold me accountable. I want them to question and push back on projects and information. This sparks great debates and will more than likely find a better solution to the issue at hand. Some may find this behavior insubordination, but those are the leaders that are incompetent and lack initiative. Those are the managers that are only looking out for themselves and blame others. As a leader I don’t know everything, but together as a team who collaborates, we should by the time we are done with the project.
I use that time with my team as a teaching tool. As an educational session where they can learn what I expect, but also what they should expect to deliver when it is their turn to develop quotes, proposals and more. If I do my job correctly as an effective leader, they will one day be in my position, and I want leadership throughout the organization to think the way I think and have a positive mindset.
When everyone is thinking the same way, team members can focus on the task at hand and not have any outside noise like office drama. I know what you are thinking, there is always going to be office drama. I disagree and here’s why, if you have a team that is all on the same page about leadership and helping the company and clients reach their maximum potential, there is little time for anything else and those who think like you won’t have time or entertain any outside noise.
In the book Accountable Leaders by Dr. Vince Molinaro the author lists 10 characteristics of good leadership.
- Leaders demonstrate resilience and resolve in the face of adversity
- Leaders are clear on the strategic direction of the organization
- Leaders celebrate success and key milestones
- Leaders create excitement about the future
- Leaders support one another. They have each other’s backs
- Leaders share a common aspiration to be great leaders
- Leaders keep internal politics and personal agendas at a minimum
- Leaders lead with a unified front and company mindset
- Leaders break down silos and collaborate effectively
- Leaders hold each other accountable by calling out unproductive leadership behavior
As you review the list, number 10 stands out the most to me and supports everything that we have been discussing in this article. We as leaders are accountable to both those who report to us, and those who we report to. We need to call out the bullshit when we see it, no matter what level it is at.
Dr. Molinaro continues throughout his book to discuss four strategies to hold others accountable. First, leadership is a decision. We need to make accountability a priority in our leadership style. Second, leadership is an obligation. As leaders we need to define expectations for those who we lead. Third, leadership is hard work. No one said this was going to be easy. We as leaders need to support our direct reports and help them build up resilience. The last strategy is Leadership is a community. Help your direct reports develop strong reputations so that they can succeed.
Empowering our team members will create instant accountability. Be supportive, teach them, and most importantly be honest and open with them. Leadership is hard work. To be a good leader we need to continuously work and improve at it. To become strong, we need to have courage. As a leader if you don’t continuously work on your skills, you will become weak and as stated earlier, have a team that is not accountable. No one wants to work for a weak manager.
Accountability starts with us as leaders. We need to empower, encourage debates and create a growth culture on our teams and throughout organizations. People want to be led and surrounded by winners. Accountable leaders are winners and make those around them winners! Winners want to work and be led by winners! Accountable leaders win! Make the conscious decision and choice today on how you lead now and in the future.
