Accountability is a loaded word. In many employee’s minds it’s a word loaded with connotations of authority, discipline and rigidity.

It’s one of those words where folks can use it and think they’re all on the same page, and yet in reality they’re doing wildly different things.

Yes, accountability is holding someone to a standard behavior or performance. I think we all agree on that, but where we often get a little confused and unsure of  ourselves is when we try to enforce this thing called accountability.

Let me share with you what I’ve seen over the years when it comes to accountability.

Effective accountability is an art.

It’s an artful proactive effort where accountability becomes a living, breathing, personal expression of connection and communication.

It’s the art of offering crystal clarity with compassion without thinking it’s our job to change them knowing that the way forward is for them to change themselves. 

It’s the art of offering a person grace at the time when a goal is lost, and it has come to a parting of the ways.

And most of all, it’s the art of not delaying when we sense struggle in others with their employment.

And we need to be accountable to ourselves so when an employee has a ways to go to meet standards we will be with them with a steady effort and open heart. If they’re willing to make the climb, we’re willing to help.

Accountability is an art we master over time. It’s personal growth within ourselves to become a safeguard to our valuable co-ops and to show the way of how we as managers and employees make it work together.