b a team blog

Organizations all over the globe are recognizing that the more you hold your employees accountable for their results, the more likely it is that the individual will perform at the expected level.

Accountability takes place when leaders INSPECT what they EXPECT.

Leaders also need to balance their message of accountability, with supportive actions that help to teach and coach employees to new levels of success.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead

Large and small companies are now linking their success in service delivery, employee and customer retention and overall business growth, directly to their ability to hire and retain high functioning employees who thrive on personal accountability.

As a team member or a team leader, no one should be surprised to learn that if we do not consistently follow through on our commitments to our team, then we quickly become the weakest link. As a result of a lack of follow through, you can quickly become the one that is the most at risk of losing his or her position on the team.

Ready? BREAK…Old Habits!

Purpose of this activity: To show team members that they are accountable for continuous improvement. In order to grow and expand their skill-set they must remain open to trying out new ideas and creative solutions.

Explanation: Ask each team member to identify something very basic, something they are used to doing almost daily. For this team building idea, each task must be something that they can demonstrate right now. Ideas might include:

• Putting on their coat
• Tying their shoestrings
• Combing their hair
• Putting on their make-up
• Writing their name

Once everyone has identified their common task, explain to the group that they need to work in partnership with another team member and they must complete the task using the opposite hand that they are used to using.

Encourage each team member to try his or her best knowing full well that it will be uncomfortable. Instruct the teams to take turns conducting the task and observing the other person as he or she attempts to complete his or her task.

After the first round, instruct the teams to repeat the exact same tasks.

Once two rounds of the tasks are complete, discuss the importance of:

• Being willing to attempt new ways to solve common problems.
• The more you do something different, the easier it becomes.
• Knowing that it’s FEAR of the unknown that is our greatest enemy
• Challenging ourselves to seek out new ways of improving service delivery and product quality
• Holding each other accountable for bringing new ideas to the table versus simply leaning back and being an “order-taker”.

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