Accountability Should Not be a Fight
24 September 2024
Holding an employee accountable isn't the same as discipline. Ask yourself these questions before you take any steps.
Accountability should not be a fight... It's a conversation and an opportunity for everyone involved to improve!
Before holding an employee accountable for X, ask yourself:
- Were my expectations clear?
- Was adequate instruction given?
- Were the required tools/equipment available?
- Is the employee's behavior likely to change going forward?
If the answer to any of the questions 1-3 are NO, even in your own head, then it is an opportunity for training, not discipline.
If the answers to 1-3 are YES, then #4 becomes critical... Wasting time disciplining someone who is not/will not be in alignment with company expectations does not help the employee, the management team, or the team as a whole.
Finally, to improve your odds of an effective accountability session with the employee, ask THEM the same 4 questions! Doing this not only requires the employee to engage in the process, it can also expose opportunities for improvements.
As always, I hope this helps.
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