Accountability…It Starts With You: A Message For Leaders

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AccountabilityIt Starts With You A Message For
Leaders
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• Have you ever thought of yourself not as a
  leader, but as the executive producer of a movie,
  and your workplace is the movie set? Every day
  you have a cast and crew show up and their job is
  to create a blockbuster a smash hit, so you
  have more customers, and greater profitability
  and success.

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• Its not my job, I just work here. and/or
  Its not my responsibility.
• As leaders, Im sure youve heard all the
  excuses in the world about people not taking
  responsibility and not being accountable for the
  end result. However, many people have told me
  that they are really confused about exactly what
  it is that they are supposed to be doing at work.

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• As a leader, its your responsibility to be
  communicating exactly what is supposed to be
  done. Others may be responsible for getting the
  work done, but you as the leader are ultimately
  responsible.

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• Have you ever considered accountability
  extremes? On the one hand, youve got people who
  take absolutely no ownership, no responsibility,
  get nothing done, and blame everybody else. On
  the other hand youve got people who cant help
  themselvesthey have to take responsibility for
  everything even other peoples work when it has
  nothing to do with them!

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• I once had a sales rep named Jeff. He was an
  outstanding producer who handed in his sales
  reports to our administrators in an efficient and
  timely manner. However, he couldnt help himself
  he kept on interfering with their system! He
  wanted to manage the entire process, and as a
  result he ended up frustrating everybody,
  including himself.

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• Therefore it is worthwhile remembering that in
  some instances, team members may not realize
  where accountability starts and ends. Thats why
  as a leader, its your responsibility to
  communicate the desired end result. You will be
  more effective when you can explain to people
  exactly what it is that they are supposed to be
  doing no matter how successful or unsuccessful
  they may ultimately be!

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• Why is it so difficult for leaders to discuss
  accountability? This is often due to the manner
  in which you deliver the message. If you can
  utilize positive communication more frequently,
  team members are able to recognize their overall
  contribution to the big picture, as well as to
  the team. As a result, they feel more empowered
  and in control of what they need to get done.

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• Ultimately they have success because you have
  demonstrated trust in their ability to get the
  work done.
• So, lets sum this up Giving people
  responsibility for their own success is the key
  to creating ownership. Accountability does not
  have to be communicated in the negative. Use
  positive language when youre delegating
  responsibility.

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• And it is worthwhile remembering that that the
  way you create the perception of the work that
  needs to be done is going to impact the way that
  other people view their responsibilities. It
  starts with how you see the world, and how you
  translate your reality to your team!
• To learn more about increasing accountability in
  the workplace, WATCH and subscribe to
• Michelle Rays brand new Leadership Insights TV
  Series!