Every leader wants accountable employees. You want to know that you can count on them to do what they say they are going to do, when they say they are going to do it. Surprises are never welcome. What does accountability in the workplace really mean? How can you help employees learn to be accountable and shift from making excuses to taking responsibility?

What Does Accountability Mean?

When I ask this question of leaders, the answers are fairly consistent.

1. Knowing that the employee is going to complete the project or task on time, and, if applicable, within budget.
2. Employees will communicate with leadership should an issue arise that throws off the deadline and/or budget. This communication will occur long before the deadline in order for decisions to be made.
3. Following through with what someone says they are going to do. It’s more than just meeting the deadline; it’s meeting the deadline with the agreed-upon terms and conditions in place.
4. Perhaps the most important is accepting responsibility for their mistakes. Nothing frustrates a manager more than an employee who points the finger at someone else.

No one expects perfection. Mistakes happen. Things crop up that weren’t expected and might change the scope of a project or the time line. What’s key is communication. And communication when there is still time to change course, if necessary.

How Can You Help Employees Become Accountable?

Some people never learn to accept responsibility for their actions. It’s always someone else’s fault, they are the victim. These folks you can’t change. Until someone is willing to look in the mirror and ask themselves what role they had in a situation, you can’t make them see what they don’t want to see. Don’t spend your time on these folks.

Leaders themselves, though, can have an effect on whether employees are willing to be accountable, or not.

1. Create a culture that accepts mistakes. This means acknowledging that mistakes happen and your willingness to help them see what they could have done differently. A culture that allows for mistakes creates an atmosphere where people are willing to communicate more freely.
2. Have check-in points throughout the project. Ask the employee to agree to provide updates on a regularly agreed-upon schedule. This not only ensures you won’t have surprises, it provides a forum for them to communicate with you openly.
3. Make sure they have the support and resources necessary to accomplish the task. And let them tell you if they feel like they don’t. Be willing to negotiate on the end result, if appropriate.
4. Don’t punish when the outcome is not what you expected. Sit down with them and ask questions to determine what they thought versus what you were thinking. Determine where there are gaps in the communication.
5. Before starting a project or an assignment, make sure they are clear about what you want and by when. Don’t simply tell them “do this by this date”. You have to be crystal clear in your message, and take the time to make sure they understand it.
6. People can’t be held accountable until they are committed and agree to the terms and conditions. You have to ask for the commitment and make sure they agree to the terms and conditions.
7. Be willing to accept your role if the outcome is not what you expected. Was your message unclear? Did you expect too much with too few resources? Did you change your mind and not communicate that effectively?

Accountability in the workplace happens when people feel safe. If they are worried about job security, your wrath, or any type of punishment, they are less likely to accept accountability. Excuses will become common place as will finger pointing.

Children learn at a young age to cover things up and blame others when they are worried about their safety. Adults are no different. If you want your employees to be accountable, you have to make sure the communication is crystal clear and that they understand and agree. When mistakes happen, and they will, use it as a teaching opportunity and not an opportunity to punish.

Do you struggle with personal accountability? Download a free assessment of your communication skills and then check out Chase the Elephants Away to discover the intersection of communication and accountability.