Personal Accountability & Continuous Improvement - The intersection where they meet.

In recent conversations with some folks about continuous improvement I noticed a trend. Some people, of the best intentions, head down, immersed in the day to day s grind of just doing their best to get through the day have something in common with others I have come in contact with that complain of their coworkers performance and rant about the lack of accountability.

In a recent exchange someone was complaining that everyone else is the problem by making statements like "They don't get it; there is no sense of urgency in these people; they are lying to me and the most offensive, If I didn't do their jobs for them nothing would get done around here". She had the repeated chant that no one is being held accountable. Interesting enough that same person comes to me and asks for help because she can't get anyone to work with her. Duh!

On the other side of the coin you have the folks working hard, head down, just trying to get by to which I have to note, getting by is not continuous improvement. Restoring the norms, or getting back to basics, or just getting the job done by definition is not continuous improvement. They respond with sayings like "Well that's all I can do; I don't have time to improve I'm too busy just getting by or my favorite, this is the best I can do with what they give me".

So where is the common thread you ask? Personal Accountability. If you are expecting the Management team in any company to all of a sudden stop everything and have someone step in and make it all better overnight, well (insert snarky remark) you need to rethink that solution.

Continuous Improvement only works when we individually make the personal commitment that we will work to do better. Can you personally commit to improve your behaviors? Maybe act less combative to your coworkers? Can you make a personal commitment to sit in on a meeting and listen without condemning others shortcomings? Can you make a personal commitment to help a co-worker complete a task on time rather than complain they didn't get something done? Can you make the personal commitment to submit a better work product to your co-workers? Can you make the commitment to talk to a co-worker and provide constructive criticism to let them know when they are being offensive or disruptive?

A team works best when the team can trust that each player is doing their part and at their best level. Without that trust and cooperation there can be no Continuous Improvement. Without trust we will retreat into our silo's to just get by or worse get defensive and become alienated. I have to admit, this story is applicable to me too at times as I reflect on my bad behaviors. Note to self...check on her tomorrow and see if she is ready to receive feedback on...Or, note to self...make an extra effort to help him with his task.

All improvements begin with being humble and venerable. Once you commit to allowing yourself to be open to feedback you will be ready to accept the commitment to continuously improve, if only in small steps at first. Hold yourself accountable. Set yourself goals to improve in the little things because people around you will notice and will appreciate your efforts and you will feel good with the result. I love working with someone that seeks some feedback from me or others and then with a glint in their eye picks up on the possibilities of doing something a bit different and just a bit better. Before you know it, "Bam!" off they go with a good idea and drive to get a better result.

Most of all you will find that when Continuous Improvement starts with your own accountability, it is infectious.

Note to self...remember to thank those that take Continuous Improvement personally.