WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY?

I just got off  the phone with a local restaurant operator.  It's the first time I've ever talked with him, but he seems genuine and one that most people could work for.  He has dreams....and he wants to share those dreams with his employees.  His business from the outside looks quite successful....but on the inside, it's another thing indeed.

His biggest struggle is the myriad of problems he sees his employees bring to work, that is, if they come to work.  "We see people in some of workers ones who are struggling, right on the edge of losing some thing or having a relationship go south or facing a legal action for making some bad decision", he said.

Hmmmmm.  I wonder if his situation is all that much different than any other employer, big or small.  "I just need people who are accountable and who will show up for work", he continued.

Accountability has to start with making a difference

So when did this accountable thing go astray? The problem with accountability is that it is the recipient of more lip service than action.  Accountability-to do what needs to be done-requires a level of commitment and discipline that many leaders spend time and energy seeks ways to avoid.  Every leader does this to some degree.  But the problem with accountability is that the more a leader avoids it, the more leaks spring up throughout their company.   Want proof?  Speed-write a list of issues your company is facing at this very moment.  Without question, every item on your list represents an accountability compromise.  Systems missing or not followed.  Rules broken .  Commitments broken.  Responsibility avoided.  Problems ignored. Tough decisions avoided.  Budgets not adhered to.  Information not shared.  Opportunities missed.  I've got more, but you get the point.

Somehow we've lost sight of the basics.  The New Normal is about reviving some fundamental principles such as are accountable to do the work for which they are hired.  Whether it's a management position or not, it doesn't make any difference, you  are accountable.

The New Normal is about having clarity about expectations and following through. When a person accepts a job, there’s an implied agreement to perform the work for which they are hired.  If a person says they didn’t know what was expected, why did they accept the job?

Sometimes it’s easy to blame the boss for not explaining what’s expected or for not providing training to do parts of the job but that’s not a good excuse to slack off. If you don’t know what you are supposed to do why don’t you ask?  What are you waiting for?

There’s no magic formula for success.  It’s really very simple: Success comes from being accountable.

We are all accountable for what we say and do. We are all ultimately accountable to God, and we should always remember to act accordingly. We are however also accountable to each other, to one another as fellow believers, holding fellow believers and Christians accountable. The Bible teaches us to encourage, exhort, pray for and correct one another in love, and in Christ. It is extremely useful to have people of the same mindset (i.e. fellow believers with the same goals) in our lives that we are accountable to. These “accountability partners”  can help us stay focused, encourage us when we need strength, and help us get right back on track when we start to stray.  We should also remember to be accountable to ourselves, holding ourselves responsible for our actions and for the results of our own actions – instead of blaming others.

"For it is written.  As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God-Romans 14:10-12.


YGG,


John