Creating a culture of accountability

According to the business execution software company, SuccessFactors, there are three (3) pillars for building a culture of accountability.

1. Clearly set goals and expectations communicated to all employees
2. Constant feedback and guidance
3. Company-wide performance and transparency

Early on in my career, I worked for companies that aligned their goals. Naturally, I assumed that all organizations set strategic corporate level goals and then trickled them on down to the divisions, departments and individual employees. Overall, my work and consulting experiences have demonstrated to me that this is often not the case. Many well-intentioned companies have a strategic plan with beautifully thought out and written goals, but they were never communicated to the employees; or they were communicated once at an “all-hands” meeting and nothing else came of them. I realized, many companies just don’ t know what to do.

To create an accountable organization and save money, reduce confusion and increase employee morale, simply spend some time setting your strategic goals and creating a plan to implement and align them to what your divisions, departments and employees do everyday.

Then, give feedback so people know how they are doing and can recalibrate as needed. Have you ever sat in a performance review and had your boss rate you low on something that you had no idea you were bad at – after a whole year of performing. It’s like someone kicked you in the stomach. Your people need to know how they are doing often. Don’t wait until the end of the year.

Finally, let employees know how their hard work is paying off by telling them how the company is doing overall. And, if the company isn’t doing too well, then tell them as much as you can along with your plan for improving the situation. There’s nothing like leaving your employees in the dark to squash morale and innovation.

This really is a simple way to transform your organization. It does take a good amount of focused time and dedication to see it through. The payoff to organizations who invest the time is a more positive, productive and accountable organization.