Accountability without consequences is wishful thinking.
Consequences mean decisions matter.
Don’t hold people accountable for what they hope to do. Hold them accountable for what they agree to do.
The Tragedy of No Consequences
Commitments are suggestions when you rescue people from failure.
- Rescuing transfers ownership.
- Repeated reminders create dependence.
- Excusing failure lowers expectations.
- Removing negative results removes feedback.
- Doing someone’s work rewards nonperformance.
- Teams notice commitments don’t matter.
Support helps people carry responsibility. Rescue takes responsibility from them.
Examples of Consequences
- More frequent check-ins. “Let’s meet twice a week until we’re back on track.”
- Less autonomy. “You’ve had freedom to manage this independently. For now, I need milestones and updates.”
- Reduced responsibility. “I’m reassigning this project to Mary.”
- Loss of opportunity. Don’t reward repeated failure.
- Changed decision authority. “Until execution improves, final approval will stay with me.”
- Direct performance feedback. “This missed commitment is being documented as part of your performance record.” (Use your company’s performance management procedures.)
First failure: discuss it.
Repeated failure: tighten structure.
Continued failure: increase consequences.
Accountability Scripts
Don’t seek revenge. Expect responsibility.
#1. Turn intentions into commitments.
“I’m going to work on that” becomes, “What specifically will you do? By when?”
#2. Make commitments specific.
“Improve communication” becomes, “Send an update every Friday by noon.”
#3. Use four power questions.
- “What got in the way?”
- “What did you learn?”
- “What could you do differently?”
- “What are you committed to do?”
#4. Expose the pattern.
“This is the third time you didn’t follow through. What do you make of that?”
Consequences mean we respect each other.
How can leaders make commitments real?
Mastering Accountability – Leadership Freak
Accountability in Leadership: Why It Matters and How To Foster It | SUCCESS
