That's right. We all know it.
Who really wants to be held accountable anyway? Sure, many of us say we do until...it actually happens. Our boss calls us out on a missed deadline. Our spouse remembers the promise we made and gently (of course) reminds us.
Accountability is hard.
I observed under performing members of a sales team last week create a near mutiny with their management team. Their results had been poor for months. This was after a week long training session, daily direction and encouragement from management and added tools for success. The claim from these team members was that they were missing one item of which the top salesperson on the team had "control" - a sales presentation that was yielding tremendous results. What they failed to recognize is that this same top salesperson also consistently displays an exceptional work ethic, tireless commitment, persistence and drive. The under performing members wanted the magic bullet when really there's a success formula they are failing to implement. Even with the superior sales presentation these members would likely still fall short without the drive and work ethic of the top salesperson.
It's easy for us all to go into blame when we're not achieving results - personally or professionally. Why hold yourself accountable or allow someone else to when you can blame an event or another person? And truthfully, most people are surrounded by enablers who will accept your excuses and allow you to continue to under perform or fail. Your co-worker who believes that because the printer was broken and that's why you couldn't complete an assignment.
Nonsense. If you want to be a leader you must hold yourself accountable first. You must get rid of excuses and blame.
If you are a leader of a team you cannot accept blame and excuses within your team. Don't be an enabler of under performance.
Great news is that accountability can be learned. Accountability can be practiced. Accountability can be measured. And in the end, accountability can be fun when you start to achieve the results you deserve.
One way to get more accountable is to get a coach...
Do I Need a Coach?
Who really wants to be held accountable anyway? Sure, many of us say we do until...it actually happens. Our boss calls us out on a missed deadline. Our spouse remembers the promise we made and gently (of course) reminds us.
Accountability is hard.
I observed under performing members of a sales team last week create a near mutiny with their management team. Their results had been poor for months. This was after a week long training session, daily direction and encouragement from management and added tools for success. The claim from these team members was that they were missing one item of which the top salesperson on the team had "control" - a sales presentation that was yielding tremendous results. What they failed to recognize is that this same top salesperson also consistently displays an exceptional work ethic, tireless commitment, persistence and drive. The under performing members wanted the magic bullet when really there's a success formula they are failing to implement. Even with the superior sales presentation these members would likely still fall short without the drive and work ethic of the top salesperson.
It's easy for us all to go into blame when we're not achieving results - personally or professionally. Why hold yourself accountable or allow someone else to when you can blame an event or another person? And truthfully, most people are surrounded by enablers who will accept your excuses and allow you to continue to under perform or fail. Your co-worker who believes that because the printer was broken and that's why you couldn't complete an assignment.
Nonsense. If you want to be a leader you must hold yourself accountable first. You must get rid of excuses and blame.
If you are a leader of a team you cannot accept blame and excuses within your team. Don't be an enabler of under performance.
Great news is that accountability can be learned. Accountability can be practiced. Accountability can be measured. And in the end, accountability can be fun when you start to achieve the results you deserve.
One way to get more accountable is to get a coach...
Do I Need a Coach?
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