WHY ACCOUNTABILITY CAN BE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS ASSET

Abusiness has a lot of assets, some more obvious than others, but one of the most valuable assets that any company can have is accountability in the workplace.

Accountability is about leadership, ownership and initiative and when harnessed correctly it can open up a plethora of business opportunities.

So why is accountability so important for business?

Accountability in the workplace means that employees are invested in their work, their ideas and the end product and bottom line.

When workers hold themselves accountable, they are taking responsibility for their work, their performance, the decisions that they make and the results that they get. They are not simply clocking a time card on and off but rather they are investing in the business.

When people are accountable it demonstrates a high level of commitment and is closely linked to workplace morale and we all know that improved workplace morale is directly linked to improved employee performance.

Showing accountability illustrates a level of responsibility within the business and is not about passing the buck to someone else or getting away with the bare minimum. It is about being personally invested in your work and hence pushing yourself to achieve the very best results that you can.

Accountability also demonstrates that employees are open to failure and with failure comes growth and development. Being able to acknowledge and learn

from mistakes can often be the first stepping-stone to real success.

So, what qualities will an employee have to benefit any business? They will demonstrate accountability, know how to get things done, be proactive and use open communication with other team members. They will also inspire co-workers to show initiative and be engaged in their work.

How can we foster accountability within the workplace?

Here are some things that we can all do to break down these roadblocks and foster accountability within the workplace:

Lead by example: If you show others that you are accountable for your actions and performances then they will soon follow suit. Complete tasks on time, be reasonable and supportive of your co-workers, be on time to meetings and do what you say when you say that you would do it. Not making excuses and leading by example is one of the most effective ways to foster accountability in the workplace.

Improve your feedback skills: Feedback is vital for growth but it can be very difficult to give negative feedback without offending or upsetting those receiving it. If you get into the habit of regularly giving feedback, both positive and negative, it creates an environment where feedback is normal making it easier to give and receive. Feedback should be clear and direct and given within a safe environment.

ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE MEANS THAT EMPLOYEES ARE INVESTED IN THEIR WORK, THEIR IDEAS AND THE END PRODUCT AND BOTTOM LINE. “ “ Being ambiguous or wishy washy is confusing so be clear with your message. Don’t put off giving feedback as this only makes things harder and allows a possible problem to fester. Issues very rarely resolve themselves, so do not put off the inevitable – the sooner you deal with things the better!

Make it a habit: Make feedback time part of your regular schedule so that it becomes a habit and allows consistency. Do this for both personal and professional development.

Keep abreast of your commitments and hold yourself and others accountable: Clearly assign both yourself and colleagues the jobs that need to be done and make sure that everyone knows what they are responsible for and when it needs to be done by. Being clear on who does what and by when helps to streamline things and identify who is responsible for what and avoids a ‘passing the buck’ culture.

Accountability is by far one of the most valuable assets to any business. It can be at times difficult for some people to adopt an accountable approach in business but it is a skill that can be fostered over time with the right direction.