Fostering Accountability

Course Description

Every work team and organization faces disappointments. We rely on others for results only to let each other down; we make promises and break them. What is the 'blame game' costing you in lost productivity, reduced profits, poor communication, and decreased employee motivation? This course is designed to help participants understand the concept of accountability and build a framework for improving their own accountability and helping team members through leading by example. Participants explore their personal communication styles, improved communication and the personal benefits of assuming accountability. Fostering Accountability helps build a core foundation to improving employee morale and productivity and enhancing the customer experience. Corporate cultures that embrace and promote personal accountability have a substantial advantage.

Participant Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the difference between responsibility and a culture of accountability

• Understand the benefits and advantages of accountability

• Apply personal accountability strategies and the Accountability Cycle

• Learn how to accept responsibility and fulfill their commitments

• Apply follow-through techniques for themselves and their teams

• Learn strategies to handle workplace dynamics with tact and diplomacy

Course Content

1. Personal Accountability: Moving from Taking Responsibility to Being Accountable

• Defining personal accountability
• How business ethics and personal accountability go hand-in-hand
• Why setting goals can help you increase your accountability
• Demonstrating the thoughts, attitudes and behaviors of accountability
• Why blame and finger pointing hurt more than help in building your reputation

2. Workplace Dynamics: What is Your Responsibility in Creating a Culture?

• Why it is vitally important to understand the dynamics of your workplace
• How to manage up the ladder—tips for communicating effectively with your boss and improving your accountability
• Why it is critical to understand the goals of your supervisor and why you need to work toward accomplishing those goals
• Analysis of the accountability mindset and how it determines performance and job satisfaction

3. Following Through: Your Team Responsibilities to Eliminate the Blame Game

• Why personal accountability is vital to your team's success
• Perception of silence as agreement
• Helping other team members stay on track and fulfill their obligations
• Understanding the primary reasons teams fail to accept responsibility
• Driving home a collective sense of responsibility
• Understanding the importance of follow-up written documentation

4. Accountability Strategies: The Basics of Getting Things Done on Time

• How to distinguish between merely important and truly urgent priorities and tasks
• Time and task management versus self-management: Is there a difference?
• Why knowing the difference between goal-related tasks and routine tasks is vital
• Your personal action plan for accountability

5. The Accountability Cycle

• Components of the Accountability Cycle
• Barriers to being accountable and staying accountable
• High-performance behavior: What does it look like?
• Taking on additional commitments when doing so is irresponsible
• Self-empowering strategies for individuals and managers

6. Focusing on Accountability and Getting Buy In

• How beliefs, assumptions and attitudes impact accountability
• Tools and techniques to hold yourself and others accountable
• Agreements that support productive relationships
• Identifying the strengths and advantages your organization will hold by becoming congruently accountable