{"id":1199,"date":"2011-07-11T14:44:41","date_gmt":"2011-07-11T21:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dierschow.com\/wordpress\/?p=1199"},"modified":"2012-06-01T14:48:19","modified_gmt":"2012-06-01T21:48:19","slug":"accountability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dierschow.com\/wordpress\/career\/accountability","title":{"rendered":"Accountability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
\nI’m glad you’re still reading this.\u00a0 Many people find the word “accountability” so threatening that they don’t even want to think about it.<\/p>\n

Let’s start with the basic concept.\u00a0 When somebody says they’re going to do something, if their word is worth anything, they should follow through to the best of their ability.\u00a0 The fact that you’re expecting this means that you’re holding them accountable.\u00a0 If they disappoint you, you’re going to lower your level of trust.\u00a0 If they meet or exceed the expectations they set, your level of trust will increase.<\/p>\n

The reason some of us shy away from “accountability” is that the word has been used in reference to expectations you haven’t intentionally set.\u00a0 Your boss tells you that an assignment is due Friday, but perhaps there’s no discussion around that deadline.\u00a0 He holds you accountable for meeting that deadline, but not because you said you could do it – just because that was the stated requirement.<\/p>\n

Worse yet, sometimes the requirements aren’t actually stated.\u00a0 Your boss says she needs the TPS report “ASAP”.\u00a0 Perhaps her expectation is that it will be done in an hour, while your interpretation is that it needs to be done in a day.<\/p>\n

Clearly we have a recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n

There’s a reasonably straightforward way to restore the balance in this situation:\u00a0 Simply state how you are interpreting the requirement, and how you plan to meet it.\u00a0 Up front.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • “Sure, I’ll have that done by Friday.”<\/li>\n
  • “I’ll try hard to get it done by Friday, but I can’t guarantee it.\u00a0 It depends on some information that hasn’t been given to me yet.”<\/li>\n
  • “Do you mean you need that by the end of the day?”<\/li>\n
  • “Is tomorrow OK?”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Each response opens up the possibility for a constructive dialog.\u00a0 If there’s misunderstanding, you’ll probably find out quickly.\u00a0 If you need help in certain areas, this is the time to ask.<\/p>\n

    Of course, it’s quite possible you’ll be given an impossible requirement.\u00a0 In that case, you’ll need to use your best negotiation skills to attempt to arrive at an acceptable compromise.<\/p>\n

    If you can’t find a compromise, well, at least you know a bit sooner.\u00a0 If you need to work an all-nighter, you’ll know while you still have a chance to do some adjustment and damage control.<\/p>\n

    These examples happen to highlight accountability for timing and deadlines, but the same principles apply to any other aspect of your work – quality, thoroughness, depth and breadth.\u00a0 When there’s room for interpretation, it’s good to give your response in advance of doing the work.<\/p>\n

    There’s another benefit to giving a timely response, which is that the other person’s anxiety will be reduced.\u00a0 If I give an assignment to a subordinate, getting no timely response is actually the worst<\/em> response.\u00a0 I wonder if the message was received.\u00a0 I suspect there may be an attempt to avoid the work.\u00a0 I worry that the assignment may have been misunderstood.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    On a related topic, I have had questions about how coaches use the word “accountability.”\u00a0 Part of the value that a coach can add to the relationship is to hold you accountable to following through on actions you’ve created and decisions you’ve made.<\/p>\n

    If you think about it, though, it’s a little backward.\u00a0 You’re paying the coach, so he or she doesn’t really have any leverage over you.\u00a0 It’s not like there’s a big stick that will beat you up if you fail to follow through.<\/p>\n

    This is how accountability to a coach works:\u00a0 When you say you’re going to do something, to someone you have a relationship with, and you know that the person is likely to ask you about it in the future, then you hold yourself more accountable<\/em>.\u00a0 It’s really a tool to help you build integrity with yourself, and that you’re making progress in a direction that’s truly useful.<\/p>\n

    It’s amazing how well it works.\u00a0 And all based on not wanting to disappoint somebody.<\/p>\n

     <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Carl Dierschow is a Certified Small Fish Business Coach<\/a> and author of the career management guide, Mondays Stink! 23 Secrets to Rediscover Delight and Fulfillment in Your Work<\/em>. He is a career coach for those going through interesting transitions, and works with small business owners who need to create breakthroughs in achieving their business goals. Find out more at www.Dierschow.com<\/a> and www.SmallFish.us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in individual career coaching, group coaching, or other resources which might help you with difficult choices, please contact Carl at carl@dierschow.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Connect with Carl on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and LinkedIn<\/a> to get timely updates and connections to a broader range of professionals.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, send an e-mail to newsletter@Dierschow.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a9 2011 Possibilities Partnership LLC<\/td>\n

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