When a manager tells you to be responsible and accountable at work, you might be confused at what he/ she means. Many people often use these workplace buzzwords to mean the same thing, when they have different meanings. Your ability to be responsible and accountable is a direct result of the tasks you are assigned and your personal work ethic when you take ownership of your work product.
When you are hired for a job, your manager provides you a list of your duties, also known as responsibilities. She'll tell you that it is your job to ensure the tasks on the list are completed when due. While you can be assigned a variety of responsibilities, whether or not you are accountable depends on your character. A person who demonstrates accountability takes the hit if she doesn't complete the task on schedule. When you refuse to be accountable, you'll place the blame on someone else for the project's failure.
Work Ethic and Character
Some people could care less about
their work product. They slap together a report haphazardly or do the least amount of work they can just to get their paycheck. Instead of displaying a positive work ethic and character by taking personal pride in their work, they only do what is required of them and no more. People with solid work ethic and character take responsibility for the work they do. They demonstrate a willingness to not only ensure the job is done, but also accept responsibility for the results -- good or bad. They
take their assigned duties seriously and go the extra mile to make sure the work is the best that it can be. When you have character and are accountable, you recognize that the quality of your work is also a representation of you.
Not My Fault
The person at work that says, "It's not my fault," does not accept the liability for any results. She is not unlike the waitress who ignores your request for water by saying, "It's not my table." For example, instead of following up with other
teammates to ensure the project is completed timely, the unaccountable worker forgets about the project the minute it leaves her desk. If the project's deadline is missed, she'll be sure to let everyone know that she did her part. A person who demonstrates accountability makes it a point to follow up with team members so that the project doesn't fall through the cracks.
Taking Ownership
In the book "The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual And Organizational Accountability"
authors Roger Connors and Tom Smith share that "taking personal accountability means making a personal choice to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrate the ownership necessary for achieving desired results; to see it, own it, solve it and do it.” Accountability is something you choose to exhibit – it is not assigned to you. Both authors agree: "In short, you can be given responsibility, but you have to take accountability."
What is Accountability in the Workplace?
The
employee accountability definition is the responsibility of employees to complete the tasks they are assigned, to perform the duties required by their job, and to be present for their proper shifts in order to fulfill or further the goals of the organization. If tasks are not completed and functions of the job are not performed properly, then that employee will also be responsible for dealing with the repercussions.
Examples of Accountability in the Workplace:
Employees being present for
their entire required shift
Employees completing any tasks that have been designated to them
Employees being responsible for the specific duties that go along with their job
Employees being consistent in doing the right thing in all aspects pertaining to their job
Employees working together towards a common goal for the busines
Why is Workplace Accountability Important?
Accountability at work is important to a business’s success as a whole. Every employee, no matter what level of seniority is equally responsible for aiding in the success of the company. In order to achieve the goals of the company, long and short term, it is important that all people within the company work together and share accountability. Employees who work together towards the same overall goal help their workplace to become more accountable, in turn make the business more productive and efficient.
SMART Goals – A great way to foster accountability in the workplace is to have your employees set SMART goals for themselves. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented and time-bound. Having goals that meet these criteria will allow your employees to feel more able in the work they are doing. It is a way for them to measure their own productivity.
Team Incentive Programs: Team incentive programs will allow employees to motivate themselves to reach their highest accountability and potential. Your employees will work together towards completing common goals, and will be compensated for going above and beyond the goals set out for them.
Prioritization: One reason why employee accountability dwindles, is because employees struggle to balance tasks and goals and eventually become overwhelmed and unable to complete their tasks on time. As a manager of a business, it is important to help your employees prioritize their responsibilities in relation to your company’s overall goals. Helping to prioritize will allow your employees to feel more organized and competent in the tasks they are assigned.
Monitor Progress: Monitoring your employees’ progress will help motivate them to be more productive and accountable. It is only natural that when we know someone is watching our progress that we will try to perform to our best abilities. Along with monitoring employee progress, it is equally important to share progress reports with them so they may learn what areas need more attention and what areas they are excelling in.
Personal Accountability in the Workplace
Personal accountability at work can encompass everything from employees being accountable for themselves, making themselves indispensable, to managers and people in leadership roles showing personal accountability in order to foster an environment of accountability in the office with their employees. If you are not in a management role, demonstrating accountability at work will prove that you are a valuable asset to the company and it
will make you an indispensable commodity.
If you are a manager or in a management position, displaying personal accountability will help build a culture of accountability in your company. Your employees will watch as you create an acceptance and understanding of accountability, and will more than likely follow your actions. Knowing that personal accountability is something that even the management is responsible for will help employees feel balanced and bonded through that shared
responsibility.
What is Personal Accountability?
Management consultant Todd Herman defined personal accountability as "being willing to answer … for the outcomes resulting from your choices, behaviors, and actions."
When you’re personally accountable, you take ownership of situations that you’re involved in. You see them through, and you take responsibility for what happens – good or bad. You don’t blame others if things go wrong. Instead, you do your best to make things right.
In the workplace, accountability can go beyond your own tasks. For example, you may be held accountable for the actions of your team.
Sometimes it can be tough to take personal accountability. However, you'll find that it offers many advantages.
First, you’re likely to have healthier relationships with your friends, family, and colleagues. A 2005 study found that children who were encouraged to take personal responsibility for their actions also had more positive social interactions.
Accountability also builds trust within teams and organizations, because people know that they can depend on each other. Leaders who are accountable are more likely to be trusted and respected, because people know that they will keep their word.
Personal accountability can save time and money, too. People who take responsibility for their actions speak up, and they look for solutions when there's a problem. This not only prevents the situation getting worse, but it stop costs and delays from escalating.
Last, personal accountability can boost your chances of promotion. When you show senior colleagues that you’re dependable, you mark yourself out as someone with leadership potential.
How to Be More Accountable
Personal accountability isn’t a trait that people are born with, it’s a way of living that you can learn. Use the strategies below to become more accountable.
Know Your Role
It’s hard to be personally accountable if you're not clear what you’re responsible for.
If this is the case for you, ask your boss to provide a job description that sets out your tasks clearly. If responsibilities are unclear within the team, ask your manager to outline who is responsible for different team tasks, and to share this information with everyone involved.
Be Honest
Success in life only comes when you’re completely honest with yourself, and with others. This means setting aside your pride, and admitting when you’ve made a mistake.
So, tune into your "gut feelings" when things are difficult, and learn to ask for help if you’re struggling, so that you don’t let others down.
Tip:
Honesty is always the best policy, but don’t use it to blame others, or to make excuses. Instead, focus on your own role in a situation, and think about how you can resolve the problem.
Say Sorry
Accountability doesn’t stop with honesty. If something has gone wrong and you were responsible, then you need to apologize .
Focus on making amends when you apologize – show what you’ll do to make the situation right. This allows everyone involved to move on, and helps them focus on the end goal, rather than the problem.
Note:
Be aware of the legal implications of saying sorry: in some countries and states, this can be taken as an admission of liability.
Take advice from your boss or a legal professional if you need to apologize on behalf of your organization.
Use Time Wisely
Procrastination is a common way to avoid responsibility, as it delays dealing with a problem, meaning that someone else may solve it instead. Your colleagues may feel that they can’t rely on you, and this will affect your professional reputation.
You can overcome procrastination by identifying why you do it. Is the task dull? Do you lack information or resources? Or is there some other cause? Once you understand why you put things off, you can take steps to fix the problem.
Next, practice good time management, so that you make time for what’s important. Use tools such as Eisenhower's Urgent/Important Principle or Action Programs to manage your time more efficiently.
Don't Overcommit
When you take on too much, something will eventually fall through the cracks. That means that you've let someone down.
So, before you agree to a new task, think carefully about your schedule and whether you'll be able to fulfill the task to the best of your ability.
If you're not sure that you can complete it, say "yes" to the person and "no" to the task so that you maintain a strong relationship and a good reputation.
Make Changes
Accountability can open up powerful learning opportunities. When something hasn’t gone to plan, ask for feedback , and look for ways to do things differently in the future.
Reflect on your actions, too: spend some time at the end of each day running through these simple questions:
What could I have done differently
today?
How can I build this change into my job from now on?
In time, you’ll build new skills and better ways to deal with difficult situations.
Tip:
In some failing organizations, managers who avoid being accountable can get ahead, while those who take responsibility may be ejected if some small thing goes wrong.
If your organization has this type of culture, then it may be time to behave accountably, and find a new role in a better organization.
Key
Points
When you’re personally accountable, you take ownership of what happens as a result of your choices and actions. You don’t blame others or make excuses, and you do what you can to make amends when things go wrong.
To become more accountable, make sure that you're clear about your roles and responsibilities. Be honest with yourself and others, so you can admit when you’re wrong, apologize, and move on.
Make the most of your time, and manage it carefully so that you don't take on
too much.
Last, think carefully about situations where you didn’t take responsibility but should have. These mistakes and failures can be valuable teaching tools, if you have the courage to learn from them.