Accountability

Sometimes accountability sounds like, well, a bad word. Like it’s going to suck all the fun out of any situation. Slow you down. Put up the stops. To be honest, one of the best things that ever happened to me – ever – was when I was held accountable for a bad attitude. After mulling it over I realized that I was not only out of line I was being incredibly unkind.

Had I not been willing to be accountable when it was uncomfortable, I might have missed an opportunity to grow. We can all grow, can’t we? 

In a conversation the other day a friend was describing a creative arts group that she manages. It’s all volunteers, every manner of artist. They meet once a month, and at each meeting they share progress they are making on a project and next steps. When they come back together, she said it’s incredible to see what they can accomplish in a month. She credits that with accountability. No one wants to show up empty-handed. It's so invigorating to get feedback from your peers, it really spurs you on.

In fact, accountability is good for forward momentum.

Weight Watchers is largely a multi-billion business because of the way it is structured, all around accountability. I couldn’t run my business without it. My staff are accountable to me, and I am to them. There are so many great ways to map team accountability - up and down - these days, so many apps! By developing ways to keep projects on track and the teams feeling energized by their progress, you not only help get work done well you help boost morale. And that might just be the most important thing you prioritize each day. Happy staff, happy business.

Don’t let accountability be a dirty word. Let it help you chart your future.