The Power of Accountability in Leadership

(c) Patrick Flesner, 2024.

Welcome back to another edition of Leadership Shots". This time, we dive into another key aspect of effective leadership: accountability. I will give you an overview of what accountability means and why it shapes high-performing teams.

Accountability vs. Responsibility

To appreciate the power of accountability, we must first distinguish it from responsibility. Responsibility, at its core, revolves around specific duties or tasks assigned to individual team members. It's task-oriented and often tied to formal job descriptions and roles. For example, the content manager in a marketing team has the responsibility of creating engaging social media content.

Accountability extends beyond the boundaries of responsibility. It embodies a deeper commitment and mindset that transcends the mere execution of assigned tasks. Accountability revolves around taking ownership of both tasks and results achieved. In a culture characterised by accountability, the content manager in our example is not only responsible for creating engaging social media content but does also take ownership of the outcomes of the posts in terms of the content's performance.

The Benefits of Accountability

High-level, I would describe the benefits of a culture of accountability as follows: Without team members embracing accountability (but referring to responsibility only), you hear team members say things like, “It’s not my fault that we didn’t achieve our plan. I’ve done what I was supposed to do”, or “This is not my responsibility.” In contrast, in teams in which “accountability” is a shared value, you will see team members working towards results. They will ask for help if they realise they may not achieve the results they are supposed to achieve. And they will offer help if they realise the team may not achieve its collective goals due to a team member struggling. Accountability entices teamwork.

 Here a list of the benefits I have noticed when my coachees managed to transform a culture determined by responsibility into a culture of accountability:

1.  Boosts in Individual Performance: Accountability sends a clear message to employees that both their work and their deliverables matter. This fosters a sense of engagement and commitment.
2. Boosts in Team Performance: Understanding how their work contributes to the broader mission motivates team members to make decisions and prioritise tasks that align with team objectives, enhancing overall organisational effectiveness and performance.
3. Transparency and Open Communication: Accountability thrives on effective communication and transparency regarding team goals and individual deliverables. Accountability correspondingly enhances open and honest dialogue among team members.
4. Enhanced Problem-Solving and Informed Decision-Making: Open communication not only facilitates the early identification of issues but also inspires individuals to actively seek solutions and collaborate to identify solutions. Moreover, improved communication enables leaders to make more informed decisions and adapt their strategies when necessary.
5.  Learning and Growth: As accountability focuses on performance and results achieved, effective leaders leverage accountability as a tool for continuous learning and growth, both for individuals and the organisation as a whole. They encourage reflection on actions, learning from outcomes - both positive and negative -, and developing new skills.

In summary, fostering a culture of accountability empowers leaders to build high-performing teams that are engaged, take ownership of results, and align personal with team objectives. It encourages proactive problem-solving and continuous learning, ultimately driving the success of both the team and the organisation as a whole.

In the next newsletter, I will share how you can create a culture of accountability.

If you would like to learn more about accountability, including vertical, horizontal, and collective accountability, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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Let me conclude with a quote from "Global 100 Executive Coach", leadership expert, host of the Developing The Leader Within Podcast , and my friend Enrique A. who nicely points out that leaders must hold themselves accountable in the first place:

"Leaders are ultimately accountable for their teams. This is why they must first hold themselves accountable for their own actions and shortcomings before they can fairly hold others accountable. "

Here's to taking another leadership shot.

Patrick Flesner

ABOUT PATRICK FLESNER

Dr. Patrick Flesner is a leadership and executive coach, a former professional handball player in the 1st German League, a recognised bestselling author, a TEDx and Keynote Speaker, and a renowned expert in the field of leadership. His diverse background, which includes roles as a partner in prestigious German law firms, a leadership position in a publicly traded company, and as a partner in a venture capital fund, has endowed him with a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective on leadership.

If you are interested in leadership coaching or engaging Patrick as a keynote speaker, please connect and send a message. You can also find more information here.

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