Hardwiring Accountability

How do you build a culture of accountability?

To start we need to define accountability? To some, it’s something you make people do, as in making people accountable. Trying to “make” people do anything is a long term recipe for creative subversion. There are few systems known to humankind that can not be “worked around.” Ironically, accountability is lessened when mandated.

Be definition, accountability is being answerable or responsible for something. Well planned and implemented accountability systems actually open the door to ownership–where other’s acknowledge they’re responsible for some aspect of the organization.

Accountability is not something you “make” people do. It has to be chosen, accepted or agreed upon by people within your organization. People must “buy into” being accountable and responsible. For many, this is a new, unfamiliar, and sometimes, uncomfortable way to work.

To learn to be accountable means coming to grips with discipline. Accountability is the opposite of permissiveness and vagueness is its enemy. Holding people accountable is really about choice and responsibility. When people have more choice, they are more responsible. When they become more responsible, they can have more freedom. When they are more accountable, they understand their role and contribution within the organization and are committed to making things happen.

So, how do you build a culture of accountability?

The first step is to make sure your are attracting and then inspiring people who want to be accountable. The next step is to create simple measures and goals from the top of the organization to the bottom–measures drive accountability. Now you have a solid chance of having sustainable success through a culture of accountability.