The A-Word ??

Accountability, it’s kind of a big deal. Or at least, it should be??

Listen, it's time we had a chat about the A-word. No, not that one – I'm talking about accountability. You know, that magical quality that seems to be (in my personal experience) increasingly rare these days.??

As a business owner of a recruitment agency, I've seen my fair share of folks dodging responsibility on both sides of the coin. And frankly, it's got to stop – no one is winning.?

Now, for those of you scratching your heads wondering what I'm banging on about, I'll break it down for you.??

As adults, we should all be fully aware that being accountable means owning your actions, decisions, and performance. It's about taking the reins of your job performance and interactions – not just pointing fingers and playing the blame game when things go pear-shaped.?

Is that an instinctual reaction? Possibly, but I’m still not giving it a hall pass. It takes a better person to fight the urge to point the finger, and own mistakes or failings. It offers a HUGE opportunity to grow and develop.??

I’ll let you into a secret, it's also an incredibly effective method to disarm a challenging conversation or any confrontation, if you are taking accountability for a mistake, it means the other party no longer needs to, and make for a much more progressive and productive conversation.??

When it comes to recruitment and retention - when you've got a team of accountable employees, you've got a recipe for success.?

But here's the real kicker – accountability isn't just something you take with your supplements every day. It requires a top-down approach. That means those in senior positions need to walk the talk, admit when they've dropped the ball, and give credit where credit's due. Because let's face it, if the top-down influence incites a culture of blame – there is no hope of this changing.??

So, HR teams and internal recruiters, listen up. When you're out there scouting for talent, I will always advocate for looking beyond skills and qualifications – look for that spark of accountability. Because trust me, in a sea of mediocrity, it's the folks who step up and take ownership who truly stand out. And in a challenging industry like food manufacturing, standing out isn't just a bonus – it's the key to survival.?

Try including these 5 examples of personal accountability interview questions:?

• Tell me about the last time you made a mistake??
• Tell me about a time you received negative feedback??
• Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline or a commitment??
• Tell me about your biggest failure in your career??
• Tell me about your greatest weakness?

Let's ditch the blame game once and for all.??

Lukas.?