Transparency and accountability are essential values for account managers, as they help build trust, credibility, and loyalty with clients and stakeholders. But how can you practice these values in your daily work? Here are some tips to help you be more transparent and accountable as an account manager.
One of the key aspects of transparency is to communicate clearly and frequently with your clients and stakeholders. This means sharing relevant information, updates, feedback, and expectations in a timely and honest manner. It also means avoiding jargon, ambiguity, or exaggeration, and admitting when you don't know something or need help. By communicating clearly and frequently, you can avoid misunderstandings, confusion, or surprises, and show that you value your clients' and stakeholders' input and involvement.
Another way to be transparent and accountable is to set and track realistic goals for your accounts. This means defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives that align with your clients' and stakeholders' expectations and needs. It also means using data, metrics, and tools to monitor and report on your progress and performance, and to identify and address any issues or gaps. By setting and tracking realistic goals, you can demonstrate your value, impact, and results, and show that you are committed to delivering on your promises.
A third way to be transparent and accountable is to solicit and act on feedback from your clients and stakeholders. This means asking for their opinions, suggestions, and concerns regularly and respectfully, and listening to them with an open mind and a positive attitude. It also means acknowledging and appreciating their feedback, and taking action to improve your work, processes, or relationships based on their input. By soliciting and acting on feedback, you can show that you care about your clients' and stakeholders' satisfaction and success, and that you are willing to learn and grow from their perspectives.
A fourth way to be transparent and accountable is to own your mistakes and fix them. This means admitting when you make an error, omission, or delay, and apologizing sincerely and promptly. It also means taking responsibility for your actions, and finding solutions to correct or mitigate the problem. By owning your mistakes and fixing them, you can show that you are honest, humble, and professional, and that you respect your clients' and stakeholders' trust and reputation.
A fifth way to be transparent and accountable is to share your challenges and achievements with your clients and stakeholders. This means being open about the difficulties, risks, or obstacles that you face or anticipate in your work, and asking for their support or collaboration. It also means celebrating and acknowledging the successes, milestones, or rewards that you achieve or receive in your work, and thanking them for their contribution or recognition. By sharing your challenges and achievements, you can show that you are human, authentic, and grateful, and that you value your clients' and stakeholders' partnership and appreciation.