One of the many elements that can help to create a supportive and healthy work environment is accountability. Professionals can work together to accept their accountability and hold each other accountable. This may help foster an organizational culture that is based on accountability. This can lead to a happier workplace and more productivity. Building Great Businesses Australia can help you to improve you business accountability.
We will explain accountability in the workplace, and its importance, and offer eight tips to help you create a culture of accountability at work.
What Is Accountability At Work?
Accountability at work is when everyone in an organization takes responsibility for their actions. This is a common expectation for all employees, including new hires and senior executives. There are several ways that professionals can demonstrate accountability in the workplace. All employees can take personal responsibility by acknowledging their responsibilities and committing to their job within the company. This could include fulfilling specific tasks. Here are some examples of personal responsibility in the workplace:
- Respecting the hours agreed upon
- Complete all responsibilities in the job description independently
- All other tasks must be completed
- A high-quality, consistent work product
- Collaboration with peers and acceptance of the division of labor
- Communication with management regarding updates or challenges
Leaders within an organization may be accountable for the success of their teams. Leaders can encourage accountability by asking employees to share their performance and goals. Accountability can also be provided for the entire organization. It may mean that the upper management communicates the company’s values, mission, and expectations clearly to all employees and holds them accountable for adhering to those standards. This can also include taking responsibility for the actions and results of the company in their locality and around the world, whether intentional or not.
Tips To Increase Accountability At Work
These are some tips to help you create accountability at work.
Set Your Expectations High
Clear expectations can help increase employee accountability. Individuals can take ownership of their actions and work towards achieving their goals if they have clear expectations. As part of their on boarding process, leaders might want to discuss expectations. This will help establish a common understanding of workplace expectations for all employees from the beginning.
Communication of rewards and consequences is another aspect of clarity. This clarity is important for accountability. It can help individuals see the potential consequences of their actions. This is also important for the accountability of the entire company as it can help to ensure that everyone is treated equally. Employees are also given a list of rewards and consequences that they can use to help ensure that company executives follow through.
Tracking Tools For Work
Tracking work can be useful for accountability. Some people find it easier to feel responsible if they can see what they need to do and how much time they have. Some people feel that they can do this in their way and can take responsibility for their work. Others may find a public system for accountability more helpful.
Some companies offer software that allows employees to keep track of their hours. Individuals can see when they clock in and out, which helps them feel accountable for making sure they complete their tasks on time. Professionals may feel more focused if they can see when they are due to clock in and out. You might also consider the following tools for tracking work:
- Checklists for private or public work completion
- Software for public and private attendance
- Weekly or daily company work completion reports
- Opportunities for accountability partnership
Set SMART Goals
It is a great way to increase accountability in the workplace, especially if you encourage your coworkers to achieve them. You can establish accountability by choosing the type of goal you set. If you are looking to establish accountability through the use of goals, the SMART goals approach is a good place. These are the SMART goals:
Specific: A goal with a specific outcome has a clear objective. Professionals may achieve the best outcome by setting specific goals.
Measurable: A measurable outcome uses data to measure its success. Think about how you can measure your progress towards your goal.
Relevant: A goal that adds value contributes to the overall mission or larger project. It is possible to identify the importance of a goal in the creation process.
Possible: Achievable goals are those that can be achieved with the available time and resources. When creating your goal, think about the constraints that you face.
Time-Bound: A time-bound goal includes a completion date. It is possible to create a series of smaller goal markers, in addition to the final goal completion deadline.
Make Sure You Have A Safe Place For Growth
Personal accountability may include not only taking credit for success but also taking responsibility for making mistakes. People who work in environments that encourage learning and support each other can make it easier to accept responsibility for their mistakes. These individuals can be encouraged to explore new ideas and assume new responsibilities knowing that their work is there for them.
