When I first engage with a client, most of the time they’ve reached out because of a lack of accountability in their company.
They feel the problem is with their people, but it’s actually with them.
That can be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the first step in getting the business they want.
When I ask them how they’re holding their people accountable today, it’s almost always after the fact.
A key customer is lost.
An overrun is produced.
An order is missed.
Accountability is given after a significant mistake instead of proactively on the front end.
It’s about holding people accountable for the actions and activities that lead to the success we want.
Things like sales calls, meetings booked, proposals sent, quality checks completed, and receivable notices sent. As well as holding accountability to the culture we want. Are our people exhibiting our core values?
When we hold people accountable for the activities and actions that give us the results we want, the conversation becomes much easier when those expectations aren’t being met.
It’s a much more collaborative conversation about how we’re going to get back on track instead of a blow-up after the fact about how someone messed up.
When you don’t hold your people accountable, what you’re saying to them is, “I’m not accountable enough myself to hold you accountable.”
Which brings us back to why your people resent you for not holding them accountable.
It’s natural.
It’s human nature.
We’re going to push against accountability.
But deep down, we want it.
And as leaders, our people expect that from us.
It is our responsibility to hold them accountable and help them grow.
When we don’t, we’re saying we don’t care enough about the business, and we don’t care enough about them to help them become their best.
This creates resentment and erodes respect for us.
This resentment and loss of respect will result in the same big mistakes and roller coaster business you don’t want.
Be the leader your people deserve and hold them accountable.
Your people need that from you and deep down they want it.