Personal Accountability at Work

Last week we learned about Accountability in the workplace and today we are going to dig a little bit deeper on Part 3 of this series and talk about what it means to be Personally Accountable at work.

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Personal Accountability in the Workplace

Personal accountability at work can encompass everything from:

• employees being accountable for themselves,

• making themselves indispensable, to managers and people in leadership roles

• showing personal accountability in order to foster an environment of accountability in the office with their employees.

If you are not in a management role, demonstrating accountability at work will prove that you are a valuable asset to the company and it will make you an indispensable commodity.

If you are a manager or in a management position, displaying personal accountability will help build a culture of accountability in your company. Your employees will watch as you create an acceptance and understanding of accountability, and will more than likely follow your actions. Knowing that personal accountability is something that even the management is responsible for will help employees feel balanced and bonded through that shared responsibility.

What is Personal Accountability?

Management consultant Todd Herman defined personal accountability as "being willing to answer … for the outcomes resulting from your choices, behaviors, and actions."

When you’re personally accountable, you take ownership of situations that you’re involved in. You see them through, and you take responsibility for what happens – good or bad. You don’t blame others if things go wrong. Instead, you do your best to make things right.

In the workplace, accountability can go beyond your own tasks. For example, you may be held accountable for the actions of your team.

Sometimes it can be tough to take personal accountability. However, you'll find that it offers many advantages.

First, you’re likely to have healthier relationships with your friends, family, and colleagues. A 2005 study found that children who were encouraged to take personal responsibility for their actions also had more positive social interactions.

Accountability also builds trust within teams and organizations, because people know that they can depend on each other. Leaders who are accountable are more likely to be trusted and respected, because people know that they will keep their word.

Personal accountability can save time and money, too. People who take responsibility for their actions speak up, and they look for solutions when there's a problem. This not only prevents the situation getting worse, but it stop costs and delays from escalating.

Last, personal accountability can boost your chances of promotion. When you show senior colleagues that you’re dependable, you mark yourself out as someone with leadership potential.

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Next week we will be continuing with the final part of this series Part 4. Don't forget to fill out the Quiz from Part 2. You can check it out HERE