Building Accountability as a Leader, Coach, or Manager
Leigh Farnell
Sales Training, Business Growth, and Leadership Coaching to Drive Revenue and Performance.
Accountability is the backbone of effective leadership, whether you’re a manager, coach, or business owner. Holding people accountable may seem straightforward, but it involves more than just checking in. It's about ensuring that people commit to actions, follow through, and take responsibility for their outcomes.
In a recent video, sales expert Lee Vanell shared some key insights on how to build accountability in any leadership role. Here’s what you can learn from this sales training lesson and how to implement accountability in your team or organization.
1. Ask the Right Questions
Accountability starts with asking the tough questions. When meeting with your team or clients, some critical questions you should be asking include:
These questions push people to reflect on their actions and recognize the impact of not sticking to their commitments.
2. Keep the Focus on Results
Accountability isn’t just about talking; it's about delivering results. When you ask accountability questions, you’re ensuring people aren’t just busy but working toward agreed-upon outcomes. Focusing on results helps build a results-driven culture where excuses and comfort zones are avoided.
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3. Don’t Let Comfort Zones Get in the Way
As Vanell points out, most people (including leaders) are often at war with their comfort zones. The human tendency is to take the easy way out. Accountability means confronting these comfort zones and pushing people (and yourself) to take responsibility for their actions and results.
4. Follow Up Religiously
Creating accountability doesn’t stop at asking the right questions. You must follow up. Make a note of commitments and set a timeline for checking progress, whether it’s one week, two weeks, or a few days. Consistent follow-ups are what ensure that people stick to their goals and don’t fall back into excuses.
Action Takeaway Points:
By consistently building in accountability, you create a culture where people take ownership of their actions and their results, leading to greater success both individually and as a team. Stay accountable!
#leadership #accountability #results
Bunnings (Team Member)
5 个月Accountability is essential for effective leadership, and Leigh Farnell’s article, drawing on Lee Vanell’s insights, offers practical steps to build it. First, it begins with asking the right questions, such as, "What’s working?" and "Why didn’t you follow through?" These tough questions push individuals to reflect on their actions and take ownership of their progress. Focusing on results, not just activity, is the next key step. It’s easy for teams to stay busy, but being busy doesn’t always mean achieving results. By keeping the focus on outcomes, leaders create a culture where productivity is tied to impact rather than effort, eliminating excuses and distractions. Lastly, Vanell stresses the importance of challenging comfort zones. Growth happens when individuals stretch beyond the familiar. As a leader, it’s crucial to push your team to embrace discomfort, fostering adaptability and development. In summary, accountability is about driving results, asking the right questions, and encouraging growth beyond comfort. Leaders who implement these strategies will build more responsible, results-oriented teams.