Workplace accountability is an essential component of strong teams and effective workplace culture. But what is accountability in the workplace all about? Simply put, accountable employees own up to their shortcomings quickly and apply that experience to their future performance.
Take these steps to build better workplace accountability among your teams:
Earn trust
Too often, employees are hesitant to take risks for fear of failure or reprisal. This fear tends to foster negative behavior. However, risk-taking can be a strength if it is accompanied by collaboration, transparency, and trust. Encourage calculated risk-taking with the knowledge that failure promotes problem-solving and supports a culture of learning. When employees know that you trust them to take chances, they will be more than ready to step up and evaluate what went wrong in an effort to make it right.
Provide feedback
Results should be tracked, measured, and reviewed with your employees. In many cases, targets are identified and promptly relegated to the memo file never to be revisited until the employee’s next review. Weekly meetings to keep things on track are ideal, but anything less than monthly can be detrimental to the process. If you make it a priority to reach the goals you set out, so will your team members.
Communicate
Good communication goes hand-in-hand with feedback. When you hesitate to provide constructive feedback, you motivate your employees to do better. They will also see you as a person who understands the challenges they face and is willing to stand by them until they get it right. Open and clear communication shows respect and shows that you care.
Add responsibility
Having the freedom to make decisions that affect the outcome of an initiative imbues employees with a sense of responsibility toward the outcome. If they have a good idea of what the expectations are—the outcome they are striving to achieve—this provides a good basis for them to take ownership of the situation. Connecting the task to its results also provides impetus, as when an employee feels like they are a part of something bigger than themselves, they will more easily step up to the task.
Training and development
Take your employees to a higher level by providing opportunities for training and development. Offering the chance to sharpen their skills or add a few new ones will not only add to their self-worth, but it will provide benefits to your teams and the organization at large. Training and development are excellent ways to encourage employee engagement every day. During employee reviews, discuss competencies, skill development, and performance. Ask them to identify learning opportunities and provide a platform for them to realize their goals. Your interest and investment will pay dividends in loyalty, accountability, and improved productivity.
In conclusion, building better workplace accountability starts with leadership. By observing, listening to, and empowering your employees, you will uplift them to new heights of integrity and engagement. Your workplace culture, as a result, will thrive as your company continues to progress.
Are you looking to build a more accountable team, reach out today.