Accountability: 5 Things You Need to Know
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Let's debunk a myth about team culture.
Here's how the myth goes:
Picture a continuum. On one end is good culture. It's generally viewed as a touchy, feely environment.
On the other end is accountability.
It's generally viewed as a no-room-for-failure environment.
People mistakingly believe that good cultures are fun, loose, and lovey. And bad cultures are demanding with tough expectations.
But that's all a myth.
In fact, holding people accountable is good culture.
5 Things You Need to Know About Unignorable Comms
I.
It’s easy to tell someone they’re late with a deadline or over budget. (Feedback about performance.) It’s harder to tell someone they interrupt a lot, don’t listen, or multitask during important conversations. (Feedback about behavior.)
II.
But our team will never get stronger if we don’t hold each other accountable to behaviors that are counter to team expectations. We’re only as good as the worst behavior we tolerate from each other.
III.
To give someone feedback, try The More of-Less of Approach. It sounds like this: “Chris, in future meetings, I’d love to see less of you interrupting and more of you giving a colleague adequate time to finish their point.” Yes, it might feel uncomfortable … once. But it’ll be a recurring discomfort, if you let it keep going.
IV.
We often don’t hold people accountable because we’re trying to be nice and don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. In reality, we’re concerned about our own feelings—we don’t like how it makes us feel when they’re disappointed. It’s more selfish than nice to withhold the truth someone needs to hear.
V.
When you provide feedback and hold someone accountable, use The Kind Truth filter. Kindness without truth is empty. Truth without kindness is harsh. However, The Kind Truth—that’s where the magic is.
If you’re into extra resources, I highly recommend Jefferson Fisher—my top LinkedIn follow. He posts daily videos on handling tough conversations with difficult and obnoxious colleagues and bosses.
If you want to vent, share tools, ask questions, or make comments, let’s get the conversation started below in the comments section!
Your coach,
Chris
P.S. ♻ Sharing is caring. Please consider forwarding this to a colleague or friend, if you found it useful. Your kindness could improve someone else’s world of work!
