“We’re going to start holding people accountable.”
How often have you heard this at work? Accountability is a funny thing. We all want a workplace where people are accountable. The only thing more frustrating than someone who consistently fails to deliver is when the boss consistently fails to hold the person accountable.
I’ve noticed a trend; when people talk about accountability, they’re usually talking about the shortcoming of others. Most organizations make the mistake of focusing on what they don’t want, instead of what they do want.
Here’s a common example: The boss is frustrated with people missing deadlines. She tells the team, “I’m going to hold you all accountable. From now on, anyone who turns their work in late will be written up.”
It’s likely more people will start turning their work in on time. But now, it’s a punitive culture, with people trying to avoid reprimands. It’s better than a total slackard culture, but quality and enthusiasm will likely be mediocre at best.