In a time when "more with less" is the battle cry for most organizations, accountability is a word that is actively being tossed around. In most cases, it is found in expressions like "We have to hold people accountable" or "You are going to be held accountable". It appears as though most of marketplace America continues to see accountability as something that can successfully be done to people. I am afraid we are continuing to operate out of a performance paradigm that is flawed.People simply cannot be held accountable anymore than they can be successfully motivated. Certainly, performance can, and should, be monitored. It is a vital performance process. However, to the degree monitoring becomes synonymous with policing, greater productivity simply will not result. Forced performance will actually become a limiting strategy in the long run.
Accountability must be recognized as the responsibility of people. While it cannot be done to them successfully, it is an ability they must be challenged to accept and develop within themselves. Those who are leading people must master the art of helping people choose to maximize their potential. Attempts to do it to them will be resisted and, most often, resented. Thus, the management/employee gaps continue to flourish.
It really boils down to the matter of respect. Leaders who want to evoke greater performance and productivity in people must become students of their motive for living. They must learn to inspire deeper conviction within. Responsibility and resulting accountability are the internal choices motive driven people embrace. Help people choose. Don't choose for them. Do well, my friends!
