No Accountability, No Performance

This is the fourth of a five part series on high performance teamwork, based on the book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.  The five major dysfunctions that Lencioni has identified, which is backed up by the research are:

*Absence of Trust

*Fear of Conflict

*Lack of Commitment

*Avoidance of Accountability

*Inattention to Results

With trust, constructive conflict, and commitment a team is ready to soar.  But two more elements are required and today we are focusing on accountability.

Holding people accountable is a key leadership responsibility.  It is not complicated, but takes organization and persistence.

First, before ever adjourning a meeting, make sure that everyone on the team is clear on what they are accountable for and by when the task is should be completed.

Next, make sure you record the tasks and due dates.

Third, follow-up with people when they miss deadlines.

Finally, you need consequences – especially for chronic cases of missing deadlines.

Simple, right?  Then why do so many leaders mess this up!?!

I think it is because it can be uncomfortable to hold someone accountable, but leaders often underestimate the damage done when you let people avoid accountability. 

Allowing people to avoid accountability breeds resentment in a team.  High performers want to be on a team where everyone is committed to excellence.  You will quickly lose your best people if they see that others are not held accountable.  And it will lead to mediocrity among those left behind.

So, be a leader and hold people accountable.  It will set a standard of excellence for everyone to live up to and allow the team to make even more of a Mission Impact.

For more ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog and check out my web site at www.SheehanNonprofitConsulting.com   You will find free resources you can download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at no cost.  You can also check out my book, Mission Impact:  Breakthrough Strategies for Nonprofits, and buy it if you are interested.  And you can follow Sheehan Nonprofit Consulting on Facebook.

Building Commitment to Your Team

This is the third of a five part series on high performance teamwork, based on the book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.  The five major dysfunctions that Lencioni has identified, which is backed up by the research are:

*Absence of Trust

*Fear of Conflict

*Lack of Commitment

*Avoidance of Accountability

*Inattention to Results

Establishing trust and creating a culture where constructive conflict is valued were the topics of the first two installments of this series.  Once you have that, you can really go places as a team.  However, a lack of commitment from even one person can be a cancer that spreads throughout a team.  Here are some things you can do to build commitment:

*Hire for mission commitment.  Make sure that people are excited about your purpose.  FYI – this is not just a “nonprofit” thing.  I recently heard the CEOs of both Pepsi and Deloitte discuss the importance of purpose during their visits with us at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

*Role model your mission commitment and acknowledge it in others.  Be a leader!

*Keep the vision for the future alive.  Remind people where you are going!  You cannot remind people often enough of the future you are creating together.

*Make sure that every person understands their role in helping to accomplish the mission and vision.  They need to understand “why am I here?”

Commitment to mission within a team that trusts one another and can engage in constructive conflict put you on a great path.  Stay tuned for tips on overcoming the final two dysfunctions so you can build a team that makes a breakthrough Mission Impact.

For more ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog and check out my web site at www.SheehanNonprofitConsulting.com   You will find free resources you can download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at no cost.  You can also check out my book, Mission Impact:  Breakthrough Strategies for Nonprofits, and buy it if you are interested.  And you can follow Sheehan Nonprofit Consulting on Facebook.