An article to help you keep others accountable
Accountability is one of the key elements of leadership. But to hold others accountable, you first must hold yourself accountable. It's hard for you to expect someone to keep their promise when you don't keep your own. Great leaders are famous for noticing what others say around them, and holding those people accountable to their words at a later date. They notice when someone says he will have a project done, and checks up on that person throughout the process to see how he's doing. Sometimes this is all it takes to keep others accountable to their commitments.
But the first step is you must notice what others commit to. Notice what projects they say they are going to tackle, listen for the date they said it would be done, and how they plan on doing it. Then mark your calendar, not just for the date the person is supposed to have the project done by, add the dates you plan on following up with the person to see how he's doing. As you take time out of your day to follow up with him, offer your help to get the project accomplished. We all get busy and forget about the things we said we would do, and sometimes it just takes someone to nicely remind us of those things so we remember to do them. Let him know you're there to help if he needs it (even though he won't want it) and give your advice. You can mentor and coach him through the process without him even knowing it.
Once the project is finished on time and in the manner originally planned, it's time to celebrate. Let him know what a great job he did, give him praise and tell others in the office. Giving lots of positive attention to this kind of work habit and behavior will help to create a culture of accountability for everyone in the organization. Before you know it, everyone will start holding each other accountable.
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Books on "accountability"
QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life
Release Date: 09/09/2004
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Amazon Price: $12.97 (as of 12/10/2009) 
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $2.74
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The Oz Principle: Getting Results through Individual and Organizational Accountability
Release Date: 04/22/2004
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Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 12/10/2009)
List Price: $25.95
Used Price: $1.14
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Flipping the Switch...: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ!
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Amazon Price: $12.97 (as of 12/10/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $3.55
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The Power Of Personal Accountability: Achieve What Matters To You
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Amazon Price: $9.32 (as of 12/10/2009)
List Price: $12.95
Used Price: $4.92
Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks
What You Accept is What You Teach: Setting Standards for Employee Accountability
Release Date: 12/01/2006
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Amazon Price: $11.52 (as of 12/10/2009)
List Price: $16.00
Used Price: $8.99
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Who is Christopher Scott?
Learn more by reading his blog
Nonprofit Leadership, Innovation, and Change
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- Christopher_Scott Christopher_Scott Jun 30, 2009 @ 9:39 am
- Yes, "accountability" does seem to be a new culturally relevant word. Whatever word works to keep us responsible for our actions and our decisions. :-)
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Reply
- mukunda22 mukunda22 Jun 30, 2009 @ 12:11 am
- Accountability seems to be the new "buzz" word, but in reality, it is the common sense way of taking responsibility!!
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Reply
- norbridgeantiques norbridgeantiques Apr 12, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
- Accountability makes the difference in keeping an organization in focus. 5*
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Nov 21, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
- Say what you mean and mean what you say. I don't know who said it but it always comes to mind when I think of accountability. People need to be held accountable. Nothing is worse than counting on someone that gave you an empty promise.
Great lens, and thank you for your kind comments on my Say Something Nice Lens.
Lizzy
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Reply
- Spook Spook Jun 13, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
- No question in my mind about this especially coming from a country like I have
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Reply
- red-shinigami red-shinigami Dec 10, 2007 @ 6:40 am
- I envy you you seems to know what you're doing... Please visit my lens too. I'm just starting to write. I was assigned to do articles and blogs for my company and I have no idea where to start. Squidoo is one of my faves. But I need comments and suggestions.thanks
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Reply
- Christopher_Scott Christopher_Scott Dec 8, 2007 @ 11:37 am
- Thanks Jeff!
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Reply
- jeffwend jeffwend Dec 8, 2007 @ 11:18 am
- Accountability is a very important factor in leadership and completing projects. Great list of books on the matter too.
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