The Straight and Narrow


by Bill Nelson - Date: 2008-09-01 - Word Count: 904 Share This!

Over the last few months I have been working with a lot of our clients in the area of accountability for their team. Specifically how to develop a system of accountability that allows the job to be done where the leader is not playing police person 24 hours a day and the team takes responsibility and accountability for what they are required to do.

In a team situation the accountability procedure has to allow the team members to be accountable to themself in the first instance, to the other team members in the second instance and finally to the team leader in the third. The concept is fairly basic the process to allow this to happen is a little more intricate.

As we have had this continuing fact finding mission of team accountability procedures I found myself exploring this subject to the next and probably most logical step. Individual accountability. How is it that we hold ourself accountable for not only the things we want to do, but the things we know we have to do.

One of the things I have found working with the different leaders and their teams is that there in no one accountability procedure that fits all teams and the environment they operate in or the goals they pursue. So it is fair to say that their would be no one accountability procedure that suits us as individuals either.

So what are the different procedures that we use to keep ourself on the straight and narrow? I have spent some time asking some people I know what they do to help them stay accountable to themself for the things they do. After reading this article if you could email what method you use to keep yourself accountable it would be gratefully appreciated.

Dear Diary

Many times people use their diary, day planner, PDA's or to do list as there system of accountability. They said once it is written down they have an obligation to complete it.

My question was, "So everything that gets written down gets done and done at the time it should?"

The answer to this question varied form person to person. Ask yourself if I do already right things down as my process of accountability does it really work?

Fridge magnets & sticky notes

This was an extension of the dear diary in a less structured way. People told me they wrote small notes to themself and then stuck them in a prominent place so they could not be ignored.
For some it was a case of writing them on the little sticky note pad and then sticking it to their desk or car dashboard. For others write it on a piece of paper and use the old fridge magnet so it is seen morning and night.

Get someone else to do it

Some people told me they could not trust themself to do the things that were important to them or the things they had to do. So there answer for this is to tell someone else and get them to then hold you accountable? I suppose this is an effective way of doing it, but does it help teach you the skills of personal accountability?

Lift your game

Others when asked about their method for personal accountability, told me they just kept themself on a tight leash. They knew what they had to do and what was required
and that was all they needed. Once they new what they had to do they just constantly pressured themself until such times as it was done.

There were a few other methods that were explained to me but in many cases they were extensions of what has been outlined. The thing is although this is by no means an exhaustive list, is that there are so many different ways that people are holding themself accountable for the things they have to do.

From what I have seen in the area of personal accountability it comes down to this. The method you use has to be one that fits your personality, your wants and needs and suits the environment that you operate in. Regardless of what method you use or you are looking to use it will only work if that method means something to you.

Writing it down will not work if all you see is a piece of or another entry in your to do list. Telling someone else what you are doing will no work if when they come back at you what they are saying just gets brushed aside. No-one or no system can work unless in your eyes it has significance and you want it t work.

There are people using very basic methods for their personal method of accountability whilst others use a more complex system. The type of system doesn't really matter as long as it has the power to hold you to what needs to be done when it needs to be done and done in an appropriate manner.

So take a snapshot of your life and ask yourself the question

"What do I do to keep myself on the straight and narrow?"

And when you come up with the answer let me know. I would be very interested. Once you have the answer though look at it and question everything about it. So that you can determine if your personal method of accountability is still appropriateor perhaps it is time for a change.

© 2008 Total Performance Concepts Pty Ltd

For More Information Visit  www.totalperformance.com.au
Or Email us totalperformance@totalperformance.com.au.


Related Tags: help, success, personal, motivation, performance, self, goals, bill, accountability, nelson, ambition

Bill Nelson is an elite international sporting coach who has turned his knowledge of developing peak team and individual performance into a world-class corporate consultancy, Total Performance Concepts Pty Ltd.

Bill's wisdom on the science of motivation, performance coaching and team building has been utilised by business organisations, defence forces, the real estate and telecommunications industries, educational institutions, local government, numerous businesses and elite sporting programs throughout the world.

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