• accountability-hero

  • When deadlines and commitments must be met, are you setting the stage for success?

    Although it ultimately lies with the individual, leaders play a major role in fostering a culture of accountability among their employees. Without a strong system of accountability and a team of employees who are actively engaged in the process, your next big, game-changing idea will likely stay exactly that—an idea.

    Additionally, beyond being a requirement for success, accountability helps strengthen relationships and foster an environment where leaders and employees know they can depend on each other to hold up their end of the bargain and do their share toward achieving goals.

    7 Tips for Building Employee Accountability

    1. First and Foremost - Make Accountability a Personal Priority

    82% of employees say “Has strong work ethic” is the top trait of great managers. So, if a key work ethic driver like personal accountability isn’t a priority for company leaders, it likely won’t be a priority for employees either.

    (Source: The Predictive Index)

    DO THIS: Foster a “we’re all in this together” environment and be prepared to get your hands dirty. Employees will follow a leader who is willing to get down in the trenches and work alongside them toward a common goal.

    “A LEADER IS ONE WHO KNOWS THE WAY, GOES THE WAY, AND SHOWS THE WAY.”
    — JOHN C. MAXWELL

    2. Ensure Big Picture Alignment

    It’s difficult for employees to hold themselves accountable to goals and projects they can’t easily connect to the overall company mission. In fact, 89% of employers say it’s critical to the success of their business that employees understand their mission.

    (Source: Reward Gateway)

    DO THIS: Clearly communicate the logic behind company initiatives and provide employees an opportunity to share their own feedback and ideas for achieving them. It’s easier to build engagement and instill a sense of ownership in a project when employees feel like they had a voice in the process.

    "RESPONSIBILITY EQUALS ACCOUNTABILITY EQUALS OWNERSHIP. AND A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON A TEAM OR ORGANIZATION CAN HAVE."
    — PAT SUMMITT

    Project Accountability Template

    Clear communication is a key to building accountability. However, ensuring all involved parties are on the same page isn't always so cut and dry.

    This template was designed as a resource to help organize your project status meetings and hold each other accountable to deadlines, commitments, and action items.

    Download the Project Accountability Template by clicking on the icon below and share it with your team, your department, or your entire organization!

    Contact your local Express office today to learn more about staffing solutions to help you build the most productive—and accountable—workforce possible.

    1. Check for Clarity

    In a study by Gallup, only about half of employees said they fully understand what is expected of them at work. From fear of appearing incompetent to simply not knowing what they don’t know, there are many reasons people may refrain from seeking clarity when faced with an important task.

    (Source: Gallup)

    DO THIS: When assigning a new task or project, ask employees to repeat the request as they understood it, and share their initial thoughts about how they will approach it.

    4. Set a Hard Deadline

    It’s easier to be accountable to a specific date than a rough approximation. “When you have some spare time” or “Before the end of the year” aren’t deadlines. A non-binding timeframe only makes it easier to kick a project down the road when more immediately pressing requests come in.

    DO THIS: Set hard deadlines for projects and key tasks, but also take time to identify potential obstacles to meeting those deadlines. Then, decide upon a process for discussing extensions if challenges arise.

    “ACCOUNTABILITY BREEDS RESPONSE-ABILITY.”
    — STEPHEN R. COVEY

    1. Create Micro-goals

    Accountability can take a hit when it feels like progress is slow and there’s no end in sight. A quick win here and there are powerful morale boosters and can help bolster motivation and commitment to a big project.

    DO THIS: Together with your team, agree upon key milestones along the way to achieving an overall goal and track progress toward achieving each one.

    6. Give regular, constructive feedback and coaching

    In a study by Gallup, 47% of workers surveyed said they received feedback from their manager "a few times or less" in the past year, and only 26% of employees strongly agree that the feedback they receive helps them do their work better.

    (Source: Gallup)

    DO THIS: Set regular status meetings and let your employee drive the discussion. The meetings only need to be as long as it takes to update on their progress, and should focus not only on progress, but on answering questions and identifying specific action items to ensure a smooth workflow.

    HELPFUL RESOURCE: Need a framework to help guide status meetings? Check out the Project Accountability Template available for download in the sidebar!

    1. Celebrate Success

    Recognition is a big driver of motivation. Studies show that public recognition of an employee’s accomplishments is often a more powerful—and often preferred—motivator than monetary rewards. In fact, employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to say they'll quit within the next year.

    (Source: Gallup)

    DO THIS: At the beginning of a new project, plan a team celebration to take place following successful completion. Not only will the prospect of a party help motivate employees, but it provides a great opportunity to publicly recognize individuals for their hard work and commitment.

    Project Accountability Template

    Clear communication is a key to building accountability. However, ensuring all involved parties are on the same page isn't always so cut and dry.

    This template was designed as a resource to help organize your project status meetings and hold each other accountable to deadlines, commitments, and action items.

    Download the Project Accountability Template by clicking on the icon below and share it with your team, your department, or your entire organization!

    Contact your local Express office today to learn more about staffing solutions to help you build the most productive—and accountable—workforce possible.

    Could someone else in your company benefit from the resources on this page? Share it with them today!

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    Additional Employer Resources from Express Employment Professionals

    When it comes to building a productive workforce, employee accountability is only one piece of the puzzle.

    For more information about these employer resources, contact your local Express Employment Professionals office today!