When I work with business leaders to identify obstacles and help them achieve their goals, accountability in the workplace often plays a key role. That’s because utilizing accountability helps ensure everyone is held to a common standard once a company’s mission, values, and goals are defined.
What does accountability in the workplace mean?
First, let’s talk about what accountability is NOT. The concept of accountability in the workplace is often mistakenly associated with a negative connotation of monitoring employees’ mistakes and shortcomings. Or, it’s thought of as imposing a stringent set of regulations through punitive measures.
The problem with this mindset is that it creates a culture of “management by rules” that responds reactively instead of promoting a proactive environment of accountability. When adopted as a positive, proactive approach, fostering accountability simply means having a clearly defined standard and then creating ways for each person to meet or exceed that standard.
3 significant advantages of building a culture of accountability
When working to grow and scale your business for ultimate results, everything should be done with purpose. Creating accountability in the workplace is no exception to that rule. And, when done through the right channels and with the appropriate mindset, it can provide significant benefits that propel your business forward.
1. Accountability in the workplace cultivates trust.
When employees are held accountable for their everyday actions and decisions, a culture of transparency is created. Everything is “out in the open” and employees can feel comfortable sharing their progress, challenges, and accomplishments. This sense of openness can lead to greater trust among team members.
2. Accountability enhances employee performance.
When staff members are held accountable for their work and must answer for the outcomes, they’re more likely to take ownership and strive for excellence. This process often leads to better individual and business outcomes and builds trust between management and colleagues.
3. Accountability in the workplace bolsters organizational culture.
The most successful businesses achieve their success by creating a culture that promotes employee growth, development, collaboration, and performance. When accountability is included in that culture, employees are more likely to have open and honest communications, demonstrate integrity, and have ethical behaviors. Better decision making and problem solving ensues, along with making a greater commitment to do the right thing and delivering on that commitment.
Build accountability in the workplace with expert executive coaching
Knowing what to do to grow and scale your business is only part of the picture. The other piece of the puzzle is learning how to implement what you know and evaluating what’s done to make adjustments to ensure ultimate results.
Working with an executive coach can help identify where your business needs to improve in order to grow. Then, that business coach can create effective strategies and help you implement them to propel your company toward achieving its goals.
If you’re looking to thrive and succeed, I invite you to work with me and see exactly where executive coaching can take you and your business. Apply for executive coaching today and let’s get you started on the road toward having your best year ever!
