Theoretically, good leaders are said to be able to 'hold people accountable.' In reality, holding someone accountable to any behavior consistently simply doesn't work. Perhaps more importantly, today's business environment demands that individual contributors in an organization step up and be accountable workers through their own desire and choice—at least primarily. What managers and leaders can provide as additional impetus for accountability is a model for how to achieve it and resiliently maintain it.
The Accountability MAPŠ was designed by Eric Kaufmann and Lindsay Wagner in their work together on special projects. The MAP is made up of 4 Cs, each that drives towards accountability with specific and comprehensive questions that elicit focus and winning dialogue among team members. The 4 Cs of accountable behavior are Clarity, Context, Commitment, and Competence.
We define Accountability as closing the gap between what's agreed to and what is ultimately delivered. The very presence of people from various disciplines and points of view make fertile ground for a gap to form. Communication—and getting it right—is our biggest challenge as humans, therefore having checks and balances throughout a meeting, a team task, or a significant project can make all the difference.
Benefits of using the Accountability MAP include the capacity and skills to:
- close the gap between insight and execution
- sharpen performance
- practice clarity, context, commitment and competence to strengthen accountability and stimulate coherent communication
- learn to ask questions with intention to set a course for purposeful outcomes
- generate shared thinking for vibrant, accountable planning and follow through
Take a moment to ask yourself these two questions:
- How does accountability manifest within our organization?
- How do leaders model being accountable?
If you are disillusioned or simply uncertain about the answer, give us a call, and we can bring the Accountability Map to your organization for leaders, managers, and staff.
Accountability basics can be taught as two half-day interactive workshops and in a consultative forum with senior executives. With a minimum of time, money, and energy investment, leaders, managers, and staff can expect wide-ranging outcomes that include the ability to:
- ask poignant questions that inspire accountability
- understand and establish context that sets the stage for clear deliverables
- renew purpose to ensure fresh outcomes
- involve more staff in big picture thinking and plans for execution
- set deadlines that are crisp and attainable
Contact Lindsay today!
