Just what is accountability???

The dictionary defines accountability as……

“The state of being accountable, liable or answerable”

HMMM…….Liable??

Sounds like someone is going to get in trouble……doesn’t it??

How about this definition of Accountability??????...........

"A personal choice to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrate the ownership necessary for achieving desired results"……

You see……all too often…..the word accountability is used as a negative term.

The old definition of accountability wants to look back at past actions, while the new definition wants to look at current or future efforts.

I can tell you this…….in the nearly 30 years that I have spent in the business world……I have concluded that success in business boils down to one simple principle……

You can either get stuck or get results.

PERIOD….CASE CLOSED……

Businesses get stuck because there is no one leading the employees through the process of accountability….

 And believe me…..it is a process…..

First employees need to understand the basics of accountability…..

Employees need to understand that it is EVERYONES RESPONSILBILITY for the success of the business….not just one or two Senior Managers or a couple of mid-level Managers……it is everyone’s responsibility…

If you build a team of competent employees that are all going in one direction, it becomes an unstoppable force……

Let me use a freight train for an example…

If the freight train is barely moving, you can throw a big block of wood on the tracks and stop the train……

But once that freight train gets moving along at a good speed, it would simply run over that block of wood and continue on its journey…..

That is the true power of accountability….

And……no one “buys into” accountability….I hear that term used over and over….the term…”buy-in”

No individual EVER….buys in……you have to SELL them…..

You have to show them what is in it for them…..

What it means in terms of not only their future but the future of the business……

How it helps them grow and the business grow…

How it shapes their personal development….

How it makes them feel empowered, and go forward with confidence and conviction….

How it makes them feel fulfilled and positive….

You see…..No one ….”buys into” that….you HAVE to sell them on it….

You have to sell them on the process of joint accountability……

The idea that EVERYONE holds EVERYONE accountable….

If everyone holds everyone accountable……it makes for a very positive and strong workplace…..where everyone succeeds and everyone is happy…

Isn’t that the model of success that everyone is looking for???

To see a video of this blog, go to the following link:

What is Accountability?

About the Author: With 30 years in the retail Automotive Industry, from a Salesperson to a Dealer, I have a vast amount of experience in all areas of an automotive environment. You can follow me on my website, www.JimKristoff.com, on twitter @jimkristoff, on LinkedIn  http://www.linkedin.com/in/jimkristoff or on youtube, www.youtube.com/user/jimkristoff