Making Accountability Stick

Have you ever asked: “How do we get accountability for results to stick?” We hear this question from large, medium, and small organizations on a weekly basis. This past week we heard it from the CEO of a large multi-billion dollar organization. He expressed his frustration this way: “We’ve been working for years on getting our people to take accountability for results, but we can’t get it to stick.”

Of course, there are a number of critical success factors when it comes to making accountability for results stick—such as a crystal-clear definition of desired results, a common language and framework for discussing accountability, personal choice and commitment, positive rather than negative applications of accountability, proven implementation tools and skills, and determined follow-up—but the real secret to making accountability “sticky” is integration. Taking accountability has to become part of the DNA of everyone in the organization—inexorably woven into daily activities.

It was for this very reason and purpose that we developed the simple, basic, and easy-to-implement Steps To Accountability—See It, Own It, Solve It, Do It—including cogent descriptions of Above The Line and Below The Line behavior and attitudes. This is the central model of The Oz Principle and our primary vehicle or method for making accountability for results stick in individuals and organizations. When people in an organization begin using the language of Above The Line and Below The Line and See It, Own It, Solve It, Do It on a daily basis, they start building a common awareness and commitment around staying Above The Line and Seeing It, Owning It, Solving It, and Doing It. What emerges from such awareness and commitment is a whole new approach to work and results. People begin monitoring and correcting themselves while encouraging and helping others to stay Above The Line in order to achieve the desired results. Consequently, accountability becomes internalized in every individual and integrated into every activity. When people begin weaving Above The Line; Below The Line; and See It, Own It, Solve It, Do It language into their daily work activities, they take a crucial first step toward building a Culture Of Accountability and creating a work environment where accountability sticks.

To learn more about making accountability stick by Creating A Culture Of Accountability, we invite you to join the Accountability Community at www.partnersinleadership.com, where you can review actual client case studies.

Steps To Accountability; See It, Own It, Solve It, Do It; Above The Line; Below The Line; Culture Of Accountability; Creating A Culture Of Accountability; and Accountability Community are all registered trademarks of Partners In Leadership, Inc.