FROM THE BUSINESS COACH
MIKE HILDERBRAND, BS, MBA
ActionCOACH of Galveston
[email protected]
www.galvestonbizcoach.com
BUILD YOUR TEAM -
Test Your Accountability
The Covid-19 pandemic and the associated
government-imposed restrictions have
brought many changes to the business
sector. Some of these changes will be shortlived
and eventually things will go back to
whatever the new normal is. Others will be with us
for some time to come, maybe because the new way
works better, or maybe the people affected – like your
employees, for example – have become more sensitized
to their surroundings and how they are being treated
at work. As Texas
businesses reopen,
you need
to sort this out in
your business.
One of
the major
challenges facing
organizations
today is to ensure
accountability
through its
policies, systems,
and philosophies.
All of us have
experienced
numerous
examples of
businesses that
have established
rules, standards,
expectations, and policies, yet are continuously ignored,
sabotaged, and/or broken for a variety of reasons.
As a manager, business owner or executive, ensuring
that what you expect is actually what is happening on
a routine basis is often a difficult, but necessary, task.
Some examples reflecting a lack of accountability are:
- favoring some employees over others;
- ego-centered rather than another focused style; -
inconsistent communication;
- expecting certain behaviors without follow through
(face masks, etc.);
- out-of-control behavior from the owner and/or
management.
You can’t manage your organization, department, or
group from behind your desk. You just have to circulate,
be visible, and get to know your people and what they
are doing. This takes commitment and time but will pay
positive dividends in the long run. Set an example for the
behaviors you expect from them. Perceptions become
reality in the minds of employees. It doesn’t matter if
what they believe is true or not. If they believe it, then it’s
true - their truth. One of the best ways to determine the
prevailing perceptions and attitudes in your organization
is to conduct an
employee perception
and attitude audit.
There is plenty of
misinformation
circulating in
mainstream and social
media to fuel this.
To be truly accurate
and effective, it is
suggested that you
retain an outside
consultant or coach to
conduct such a survey
or audit. It should
be confidential. The
employees must
feel free to share
reality without any
fear of retribution
or punishment for
delivering bad or critical feedback. There are three
things to think about when it comes to the concept of
accountability in your business:
1. You can’t expect different results from the same
actions.
2. You get the behavior you reward in your organization.
3. All culture flows top-down.
When employees see their leaders re-energized and
armed with the fundamentals of leadership, teamwork
and personal effectiveness, the whole company and its
bottom line grows. Follow the guidelines, protect your
team and customers, and set a great example that they
can follow.
26 MOMENTUM