Accountability is Essential for Success
Cathie Leimbach • September 27, 2022
The success of a group relies on high performance from every individual. An important leadership responsibility is positioning the organization and its people for success by helping everyone do their job well. This requires holding people accountable to meeting expectations by communicating clearly and supporting them to be effective.
3 Benefits of Holding Others Accountable
- Greater Clarity of Purpose – When people are clear about the purpose of their work and buy-in to the value the organization provides to society, they have more passion for their job.
- Improved Performance – When people are clear about what is expected of them and know that their work is important enough to be noticed by their supervisor and peers, they are more motivated to do their best.
- Better Team Dynamics – When there is mutual accountability with the leaders fulfilling their responsibilities and all team members working to fulfill theirs, there is a sense of belonging that inspires collaboration and high achievement.
5 Tips for Holding Others Accountable
- Hold Yourself Accountable – Be a visible role model. Follow company rules. Communicate your priorities and achievements to your staff. Keep your promises to them.
- Make Expectations Clear – What do you want each person to achieve at work? What are the standards required for a healthy workplace culture?
- Set Manageable Goals – Be specific about the quantity and quality of results your staff members are expected to achieve each day or week. Provide them with the training and the tools they need to do their work well.
- Offer Constructive Feedback – When a staff member is struggling or underperforming help them to improve. Be curious about what is hindering good performance and provide them support to overcome their challenges. Equip them for success. If they are a right-fit employee for your company but not for their current role, find them a right-fit position.
- Implement Consequences When Necessary – If despite sincere and relevant training and support have been provided to an individual and they are still underperforming, negative consequences will be necessary. Dismissing a wrong-fit employee after offering help to overcome their performance gaps sends the message to others that you really do notice the difference between poor and good performers.
Clear and supportive accountability yields high morale and productivity for personal and organizational success.
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending? 👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.
In Erica Dhawan’s book, Get Big Things Done, she defines Connectional Intelligence as the ability to combine knowledge, networks, and relationships to drive meaningful results. In today’s busy workplace, it’s not just what you know—it’s how well you connect that turns good ideas into big outcomes. Strong Connectional Intelligence within a team strengthens workplace morale and productivity by impacting four key attributes of high-performance cultures: Value Visibly – People perform better when they know their contributions matter. Leaders who highlight strengths, acknowledge effort, and celebrate progress create a culture where great work becomes contagious. Communicate Carefully – In an age of nonstop messages, clarity is a competitive advantage. Thoughtful communication reduces confusion, prevents conflict, and ensures that everyone moves forward with shared understanding. Collaborate Confidently – Connectional Intelligence flourishes when people feel empowered to contribute. Confident collaboration means inviting diverse perspectives, leveraging individual superpowers, and creating space for smart problem-solving. Trust Totally – Trust is the anchor of all high-performing teams. When leaders show reliability, transparency, and empathy, people take risks, share ideas, and stay aligned toward common goals. Connectional Intelligence helps teams innovate faster, break down silos, and accomplish what truly matters. Want to learn more? Visit Erica Dhawan’s website to explore her full body of work and deepen your understanding of Connectional Intelligence.