‘COMMITMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY CLOSES THE GAP BETWEEN INTENTION AND RESULTS.’
Recently I was asked what I thought was necessary for success. You may be thinking that my answer would be:
- Have a definite goal
- A positive attitude
- Develop a skill
All of the above are certainly vital to success but after thinking on this question, I realized that Commitment and Accountability were key.
Many leaders don’t find these two topics favorite things to discuss but as the above quote states; ‘They close the gap between Intention and Results’.
Ken Blanchard states it this way;
There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, You accept no excesses, only results.
I believe what helps to keep us committed is Accountability.
Accountability is really an attitude of responsibility for doing what is necessary to achieve your desired results. Accountability is owning and honoring the commitment.
Taking the lead starts with personal responsibility for your actions and as a leader of others it is important to offer accountability to them in a positive way; through encouragement and genuine interest in the person’s performance. Not through an overbearing dictatorship style but one of personal interest and gracious guidance to build trust.
Effective accountability is:
- TO BE CLEAR. Accountability gives clarity to the process while identifying roles. The team needs to know what you expect; deadlines and outcomes. When Team members understand their role, productivity increases.
2. INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT. Communicate regularly with your team members to track progress. This teaches them focus and prioritizing.
3. LEVEL OF COMMIT – the Level of commitment is revealed.
- Accountability is setting up systems that help you and the team to stay on track.
- Leadership is a process of social influences which maximize the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal.
- The Positive Accountability Connection brings clarity to everyone on the team and leads to greater productivity and success.
The following story, I believe, may help to explain the importance of Accountability. This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could. Anonymous.
Quite a story….at first it might appear amusing… or does it? Please comment and let me know if you had any ‘Aha’ moments after reading about Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
