In a collaborative culture, accountability is a visible practice and framework. All team members are clear about their specific responsibilities. They are aware of the organization’s mission, vision, values, and how they personally fit into the framework. They are given measures and tools to use in determining if they are moving forward or falling behind on their objectives. They are empowered to do their job, and they are rewarded for their efforts. The result is a high level of employee engagement with a vested interest in the success of the organization.
Accountability is indispensable in collaboration because the work is interrelated. For example, if one team member makes an error or falls behind schedule, he must report it to the rest of the team to stem the consequences; failure to disclose a problem in one part could potentially damage the entire work. In addition, taking responsibility for errors is easier in a collaborative setting, where the focus is on correction rather than on blame. Thus, fear of retribution is minimal, if it even exists, allowing a more honest exchange among team members.
In a traditional culture with command and control leadership, although management demands and praises the value of accountability, it does not generally provide the resources and environment that enable accountability to flourish. This absence often results in widespread confusion, distrust, and underachievement. Influential leaders are aware of these pit falls and thus behave, and urge others to behave, in a manner that promotes accountability.
Influential leaders lead by modeling effective behaviour. They understand that it is through their own personal behaviour competency that they influence others. They are role models of accountability. They understand that accountability is the obligation to take personal responsibility for ones thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and actions. They understand that accountability is an empowering mental model that puts the person in total control of their thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and actions. This mental model (what Corporate Harmony refers to as the skill of Positive Presence) is necessary in today’s workplace wrought with complexity, ambiguity, and with fast paced and constant change. This mental model is a requirement for every member of the organization, regardless of title, rank, or employment relationship.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.