6 Easy Ways to Foster a Culture of Accountability in the Workplace

One of the crucial elements in a high-performing team is accountability.

The culture of accountability keeps the staff engaged and satisfied. Because when your employees are accountable, they become more responsible with their jobs. Their commitment levels increase in taking the company forward.

91% of employees feel that accountability is one of the most important things they'd like to see in their workplace.

What is accountability in the workplace?

Accountability in the workplace means that the employees are responsible for their decisions, actions, and performance. It is proportional to an increase in employee productivity and commitment. Thus resulting in a workforce that performs well.

When employees are accountable-

• They show dedication towards their work

• There is a rise in morale

• Employees become knowledgeable about their job

It is a pathway for employees to gain ownership and take the initiative in what they do. Doing this boosts their morale and makes their work meaningful.

The main point of accountability is that your employees should accept the outcome. And further, improve themselves in getting a positive result.

It mainly includes-

• The ability to find something crucial that will eventually reflect in the results.

• Ready to handle a task and making sure that it gets completed within the allotted period.

• The capacity to assist employees with critical tasks and challenging times.

• Being honest with your peers about the mistakes of an ongoing project and working on the possible solutions. Take the responsibility instead of handing it over to someone.

• Managers and employees are both accountable, which shows that it is not one-sided and balanced at the same time.

• Trying to understand employees' feelings first when holding them accountable.

6 ways to promote accountability in the workplace

1. Define Goals

As a manager, you must provide a clear understanding of the expectations. It would be best if you made them aware of their goals and responsibility.

Present before them how they are going to contribute to the greater good of the organization. You can opt for SMART goals and make room for enhanced efficiency.

When employees are clear about their work, they add value to what they do. There is a greater sense of enthusiasm when they know how their work will change its dynamic. It is one of the most effective ways to promote accountability within the organization.

2. Highlight Employees Progress

Another good way to encourage accountability is by showing your employees their progress in the organization. Highlighting their progress will ensure that they are accountable for the outcomes of their work.

Doing this will help your employees become more invested in their work. Moreover, it will help them create a vision of where they need to work on.

Highlighting encourages healthy work competition as well. When your employees achieve something, recognizing them creates a positive attitude. This enables them to become more responsible and efficient.

3. An environment of trust and support

Employees fear that their mistakes will have consequences in a workplace where there is no trust and support. This further leads to less accountability in the workplace.

Moreover, there is a likely chance that your employees will find someone else at fault when a problem arises.

On the contrary, it is the opposite when there are trust and support within team members. Employees are accountable for their work and provide support to others when something goes wrong.

They trust each other and try to resolve any conflicts with the necessary solution.

4. Fulfill Commitment

As a manager, it's always a good thing to meet your commitment. It not only reflects your work authority but also sets an example for your employees.

It shows you are responsible and have honesty in what you do.

When you create a working environment of commitment, your employees are more likely to become proficient in their jobs.

Becoming more proficient means they are accountable and are more sincere about their job. This makes them productive and more engaged.

5. Have that conversation

When you see your employees struggling, it might be time to have a good chat with them. Have that one-on-one conversation to get a better understanding of what is bothering your employees.

It might not be easy at first. But once you allow open dialogue, you get a broader perspective on your employees' performance.

One-on-one conversations help you to figure out their problems and take action. Make them aware that you being the manager, have complete faith in them. It will make them comfortable and accountable for what they do.

A trust that their manager is going to back them up if anything goes wrong. Furthermore, doing this will boost their morale and make them more confident.

6. Follow up timely

nce you have made clear the expectations from your employees, you must follow up with them often.

Doing so is a crucial part of practicing accountability. It will work as a reminder for your employees regarding their responsibilities.

Following up with job expectations is an excellent way to showcase that the employees' development matters to you. The focus should be on your employees' personal and professional growth.

Improving their performance will boost their confidence and abilities. In return, it will increase employee engagement as they will become more responsible in their jobs.

Summing it up

As a leader, it becomes your duty to foster learning where employees understand their duties. Building a culture of accountability might not be easy, but it is not complex as well.

It just needs determination and a positive approach so that employees can accept it. Accountability needs to be portrayed in a manner that becomes a part of your company culture. In the long run, it will help you nurture your employees to become leaders, productive, and more committed to their work.

Mrinmoy Rabha is a content writer and digital marketer at Vantage Circle. He is an avid follower of football and passionate about singing. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com