Creating an Environment of Accountability
Imagine how much more you and your team could accomplish if everyone was accountable for the work they do. You can make this dream come true by creating an environment in which team members hold themselves accountable. Here’s how:
- Make sure the project scope is worded to clearly convey why the mission matters and ensure team members understand their role in it. Make sure the project scope is clear and that business objectives are understood by all. Team members should understand precisely how their work aligns with the scope. If there is any doubt, review the project documentation with the team member to resolve any misunderstandings about the project scope and their role within it.
- Provide clear task definitions. Each team member should know exactly what’s required of them and how their work products will be evaluated. If there is doubt or confusion, consider compiling a WBS Dictionary to clarify any ambiguous tasks. Get team members involved in creating that dictionary, and you will achieve both clarity and ownership.
- Schedule reasonable delivery timeframes. No matter how meaningful the mission and how clear the task definitions, team members might not be self-accountable if you don’t allocate enough time for their work.
- Acknowledge success. Always acknowledge when team members produce a quality product. Don’t wait until they reach a significant milestone or overcome a complex problem. Recognition breeds self-accountability, because team members want to be part of that atmosphere of success.
- Model the desired behavior. Demonstrate your own accountability to build accountability in your team. The accountability that you demonstrate as a project manager will influence the level of accountability your team demonstrates. If you meet deadlines, fulfill promises, and handle bad news constructively, accountability will prevail throughout your team. By providing psychological safety within your project, your team members can do their best work.
Do you have other ways to create an atmosphere of accountability? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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