How to Practice Leadership Accountability

Leadership accountability is very important in the world of business operations today. Without accountability, the organization is just like a sailboat without a sail and rudder-it is but meandering in the river, waiting for the tides and the winds to take it where they will. A leader who does not display accountability to his people is also like the captain of a ship who does not know how to handle maps and how to steer a big boat.

You need leadership accountability if you want to take your organization to the next level in your journey. Such accountability will help you and your subordinates to ensure smooth operations and good relationships in the organization. Here are some tips on how to practice leadership accountability.

1. Establish reporting and communication lines. Too often, employees do not know the right line of reporting and communication lines. When that happens, they tend to talk to each other about their grievances, their complaints and even the suggestions that could have been helpful to the organization. With clear communication, you can ensure leadership accountability in all areas of your organization.

2. Enhance your credibility. Be true to your word. When you promise something to your employees and your subordinates, make sure that you follow through. Their respect for you will greatly increase and even in tough times, they will stand by you. If you lose credibility among your own people, then no amount of words can bring it back for you.

3. Give rewards. It is a means of encouraging your people to work harder and more efficiently. When they are given rewards for jobs well done, they will appreciate the appreciation given to them.

4. Set up sanctions for bad actions. Bad actions, if left unchecked will persist and will ruin the operations of the organization. While carrots (read: rewards) may be more effective in inspiring employees and subordinates to work harder, sticks (read: sanctions) are still needed to make sure that bad actions will not be recurring.

5. Develop an organization culture of excellence and accountability. Organizational culture is an important aspect of the company or the organization. By highlighting the twin virtues of excellence and accountability, the organization will succeed in becoming topnotch while remaining ethical and noble in its business practices.

If you are still wondering how to practice leadership accountability, my suggestion is simply to move ahead and implement simple rules. If these simple rules are compounded, they will help your organization evolve into something better and something more transparent.