Inspiring Accountability
Cathie Leimbach • January 24, 2023
In your organization, how often are tasks not completed to your satisfaction and on time? For most of us this is a common reality. This article outlines important steps for helping your team members be accountable for regularly getting important work done well.
First, let’s look at a definition of accountability.
Accountability is where team members hold themselves and each other responsible for fulfilling their commitments in a positive and productive way.
Now, we’ll consider the steps a leader can follow to position their team and each team member for success.
- Clearly define the results you want achieved by when. Be very specific. For example, “Complete the first full draft of the annual report in Microsoft Word, including the layout, footers with page numbers, table of contents, and other introductory pages, and email the Word document to me by February 19, 2023, at 4:00 pm Central Time.”
- Ask your team member what training, resources, or help they may need to achieve this. Determine if you will provide this support or assign the work to someone else who is a better fit for it – and communicate your decision.
- Ask the person you are delegating this work to, “On a 1 to 10 scale with 10 being the highest, how committed are you to fulfilling this responsibility?” If they aren’t a 10, ask what they would need to be a 10. Work with them to fill the gaps, or if they really aren’t a right fit, assign the work to someone else.
- Collaborate with your team member to set up a monitoring timeline and method to check progress periodically along the way. This ensures there are opportunities for the team member to alert you to bottlenecks and seek help if necessary. Praise them for their progress, encourage them to try to solve problems along the way, and guide them in making effective decisions.
- Tell your team member to reach out to you for help if they can’t resolve challenges in a timely. Ask them to alert you whenever they discover something beyond their control that may delay the completion date or impact work quality.
- Celebrate their success when they achieve expectations! When people are acknowledged for doing the job well it builds their confidence and commitment, increasing their future success.
Yes, leaders have to be very intentional when delegating work and responsibilities. However, when we take the time to set the stage for accountability, more will get accomplished and everyone will experience stronger workplace morale.
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence. May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending? 👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.