Accountable Leadership as Standard Practice
You’ve likely heard the story of four people—Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. It
illustrates what happens when leadership is absent: Everybody looks to Somebody or Anybody
to take responsibility, but with no leader to guide the process, Nobody steps up. The result is
chaos, finger-pointing, and failure. Sadly, this scenario plays out in organizations every day.
Accountable leadership should be standard practice, but too often, it’s not.
What is Accountable Leadership?
Accountable leadership means leaders take responsibility for their actions and those of their
teams, fostering a culture of ownership for both successes and failures. While many are quick to
take credit for success, great leaders understand that accountability involves owning both
outcomes. However, when failure occurs, accountable leadership often goes missing.
In 2019, Culture Partners, a consulting firm, conducted a study of over 40,000 participants
across various industries. The results revealed that 84% of respondents believed the behavior
of leaders was the most crucial factor in accountability, yet only 15% of leaders had clearly
defined and communicated their objectives.
How Can We Make Accountable Leadership Standard Practice?
Accountable leadership starts with communication. Leaders must communicate clearly to set
expectations, guide actions, and hold everyone accountable. This involves:
–Setting clear expectations: Explicitly define tasks and deadlines.
–Regular check-ins: Assess progress, identify needs, and adjust plans as needed.
–Fostering accountability: Encourage ownership at both individual and team levels.
–Feedback loops: Discuss successes and missed opportunities to stay on track.
–Personal development: Offer training and support to help team members grow.
–Celebrating successes: Acknowledge achievements to reinforce accountability.
Rewriting the Story
What if Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody all took ownership? What if each person
embraced leadership and accountability, creating a culture of collective responsibility? As Joe
Dumars said, “On good teams, coaches hold players accountable; on great teams, players hold
players accountable.”
Let’s hold ourselves—and each other—accountable.
Jeff
