A Recipe For Accountability San Francisco CA

Accountability is a buzzword in the business world right now. Unfortunately, most of us have negative understanding of the word. We often use the word as if it means blame and punishment.

Local Companies

Consulate General of Guatemala
(415) 896-9181
785 Market St., Ste. 400
San Francisco, CA
Consulate of Belgium
(415) 861-9910
1663 Mission St., Ste. 400
San Francisco, CA
PHA/Peggy Hughes Associates
(415) 846-0569
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Consulate General of El Salvador
(415) 771-8524
507 Polk St.
San Francisco, CA
Consulate General of Honduras
(415) 392-0076
870 Market St., Rm. 451, 453
San Francisco, CA
Consulate of Barbados
(415) 421-8789
442 Post St., Ste. 800
San Francisco, CA
Consulate of Nicaragua
(415) 765-6825
870 Market St., Ste. 1050
San Francisco, CA
Department on the Status of Women
(415) 252-2570
25 Van Ness Ave., Ste. 130
San Francisco, CA
VIA Leadership Solutions
(415) 264-3040
4350 25th St.
San Francisco, CA
Telecommuting Advantage Group
(415) 609-9857
25 Corwin St., Ste. 3
San Francisco, CA

Accountability is a buzzword in the business world right now. Unfortunately, most of us have negative understanding of the word. We often use the word as if it means blame and punishment. Therefore, we attempt to avoid it. The truth is that accountability is unavoidable. In the workplace, intrinsically everyone is accountable to someone. We are accountable to our peers, managers, customers and ownership. We are also accountable to our industry.

What if being accountable was empowering for you and your employees? Research indicates that rather than a negative force, holding people accountable for their actions and results has very positive effects on morale and performance. An environment of accountability produces vigilant problem solving, better decision-making, and greater job satisfaction. With an environment of accountability, people can develop their skills and be their best.

The issue I see with accountability is not the absence of accountability in business. Accountability exists regardless. The issue is how we think of and understand accountability and the environment under which accountability can thrive.

Consider these definitions of accountability:

  • Accountability is a state of responsiveness.
  • To be called on to render an account.
  • Subject to giving an account.
  • Non–judgmental feed back (Accountability is no place for judgment, blame or punishment).

    Here are some areas to troubleshoot in your workplace:

  • Ambiguity is the enemy of accountability, so your first step, as a manager is to make sure that the people you are holding accountability have very clearly defined roles, job descriptions and duties.

  • Accountability is an attitude so look at yourself as the role model. Are you being accountable to your boss, ownership, your employees and clients?

  • Do you have written expectations? Starting at the time of hire, if possible, review written expectations and standards of performance. You cannot expect something from someone who has not had the opportunity to buy into the expectation.

  • Do you have Permission; either implied or granted.

  • Do they have training? You cannot hold someone accountable to something they are not been trained to do!

  • Do your employees have a working plan - a project timeline, an economic model etc?

  • Have I created a learning based environment? Is it okay to make a mistake or say, “I don’t know?” Know it alls do not make good coaches nor are they coach-able. Creating a safe environment for mistakes encourages accountability.

  • Are there real consequences? Consequences work best when spelled out before actually needed, in expectations for example.

  • Do your employees have the talent and ability? Some people will not have the ability to do the job you are asking them to do regardless of having a well-defined role, a great manager and excellent training.

  • Accountability is an attitude that you as leader will want to model; focus on being accountable rather than holding others accountable.

    About the Author:

    As owner of Profit Consulting Co., Alicia Fruin has designed over 80 training programs and led custom training programs for hundreds of business owners in a variety of industries across the country. http://www.profitconsultingco.com/about






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  • Featured Local Company

    Consulate General of Guatemala

    (415) 896-9181
    785 Market St., Ste. 400
    San Francisco, CA

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