Running a small business is not easy, we often face challenges and crisis that we need to overcome. How do you react in those situations? Do you look to external sources to see what went wrong? Or do you point the finger at yourself?
Your response can be a clear indicator of how likely you are to succeed.
Accountability plays an important role in leadership; it is not just a matter of holding others accountable, but also about how well you hold yourself accountable.
So how do we grow a mindset of accountability? We can begin with the following:
- Take Responsibility – always.
Taking responsibility for the outcome of a situation should be the automatic reaction of a leader. Even if the result may have occurred due to the actions of others. As a leader, you are ultimately responsible, particularly when things don’t go according to plan. There will be something you could have done differently to change the outcome. Take the time to reflect and identify what that was and where you can take responsibility. - Lead by Example
There is nothing worse than someone proclaiming to be a leader, giving directions and guidelines… and then doing the exact opposite themselves. We must lead ourselves first before we can lead anyone else, so be sure you are practising self-leadership. Be very clear in your expectations of yourself as well as others. When you don’t produce the desired results or you negatively influence an outcome, own it! Like leadership, accountability starts with you. - Use Integrity
Integrity: noun: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
The only way to have trust from your team is to be honest, always. There is no question that those leaders who are most successful have the complete trust of the people who work for them. No matter how tempting it is to lie or how uncomfortable you may feel, tell the truth. Keep your word and stand up for your values. It will pay great dividends on your leadership journey. - Accept the situation for what it is.
We can’t change what has occurred, ruminating and blaming others will not change a thing. It is what it is and that is all you have. Don’t waste precious time re-hashing the way you think things should have played out, instead focus on the outcome you have and how you can move forward. What can you do to make things better next time? What are the lessons learned?
Like leadership, accountability is an area where we can grow and develop. It’s not always easy; we can default to blaming others, circumstances or even plain old bad luck. We can sidestep accountability and absolve ourselves of any responsibility, but we are also surrendering our control over situations and ultimately our business. It is not possible to be an effective leader without accountability.
