One of the hardest things to watch is a frustrated leader blaming a horse for not
performing, when it is clear that the horse is doing their best trying to
understand what the leader wants. Effort and ability is not the issue. Clear communication is.
Clearly communicating expectations in a language the receiver understands is the
foundation of accountability. Sometimes a leader’s assessment of an individual’s accountability rests on the
individual’s ability to read their leader’s mind. While this is efficient when it works, making it the only way a person leads can cause performance gaps and tremendous frustration. “Go do it, and I’ll tell you when you get it right,” is a recipe for disaster seen far too often in the workplace. The other extreme is micromanaging, which drains creativity and deflates engagement.
When leaders communicate expectations in a language their team understands they begin
the accountability dialogue. When they share feedback on progress it encourages initiative and empowerment. When teams can count on their leader to meet their expectations for resources and feedback, accountability soars.
How can better communication build accountability on your team?
2020-3-29 Horse Wisdom: Accountability