PIHRA Scope - January/February 2008 - (Page 13) TAKE THE FIRST STEP Many people believe that accountability must start with the CEO and trickle down. While it certainly helps if the CEO can model the appropriate behavior, the fact is that anyone—even you—can begin instilling accountability in your organization (or at least your department). Therefore, be the person who goes the extra mile. Find the answer to people’s questions, even if it really isn’t your job. Rather than complain about low numbers, pitch in and do your part to bring the numbers up. Volunteer. Join committees. Keep your appointments. Do what you say you’ll do…when you say you’ll do it. Keep your actions visible so others see the behavior you’re modeling. Help people understand that being accountable is not a bad thing—that it’s simply part of being a team. Make sure others see that you’re not just focusing on self-preservation and that you’re looking out for the best interests of the entire department or company. Yes, this will require you to step out of your comfort zone and work a little harder. However, as your actions begin to rub off on others, you’ll be on your way to creating an environment that fosters communication and helpfulness—two qualities of a winning organization. Part of being sensitive to others also means being bold. Take a risk. Reach out to others. Reconnect with colleagues and customers. Solicit feedback from others. The ancient Egyptians had a saying, “Hear like a porcupine,” meaning that you need a highly acute sense of hearing. So really hear what people want, and then deliver. Don’t just wait for management to mandate something or for your boss to ask you to deliver information. Instead, take the initiative to start something on your own. When you do, others will take notice and will appreciate your actions. In many companies, the executives sit in the boardroom for days trying to figure out how to differentiate their products. After all, a shirt is a shirt, and a phone is a phone. Often, what really makes the difference to customers are the employees. So suppose you have 500 employees on the payroll. You already are paying these people. You likely don’t need to increase your ad budget if you can make a difference with your employees. That is, you need to train them to be responsive not just to you, but to your customers, to your organization, and to your distributors. That can be your difference right there. As they say, “People make the company.” Yes, it’s a cliché, but it’s true. Help people understand that TAME THE BEAST WITHIN being accountable is not a bad thing—that it’s simply part of being a team. In the wild, porcupines are naturally destructive creatures. They eat aluminum signs, treated lumber, ax handles, tires, and automobile brake hoses. People, too, can be destructive if they don’t have the proper guidance and/or motivation. That’s when a lack of accountability reigns. Therefore, take the steps to bring a sense of accountability into your company and end the blame game once and for all. When you do, your company will experience greater rewards and profits, with fewer prickly headaches. ■ Roger Hall is a founding partner of Porcupine Communications. With more than 30 years of experience in marketing and communications, Roger helps companies improve their bottom line with effective leadership. His forthcoming book, How Do You Pet a Porcupine? Solutions to Prickly Communications Problems, incorporates his experience working with companies such as Bellcore, Siemens, Rubbermaid, and Ericsson, and applies it to today’s workplace issues. For information on his speaking, coaching and book, call 866-972-0690 or visit www. porcupinecommunications.com. January/February 2008 PIHRAScope 13 USE ACCOUNTABILITY TO DIFFERENTIATE In companies that don’t play the blame game and that actually have accountability in place, you can see a true sense of differentiation. Think about it. When you need to purchase clothing or furniture, you know there are many different stores to choose from. And while price is often a factor for consideration, you likely choose to patronize the store that offers a certain level of customer service that you expect. If it’s a small purchase, like a Tshirt and some shorts, then any store may do. But if it’s a large purchase, such as a wedding gown or a business suit, then you’ll likely choose the store where you feel a sense of accountability exists among the employees. BE SENSITIVE TO OTHERS If one of your peers approaches you (someone at the same professional level as you in the company) and asks for an update on a project that’s going on somewhere in your department, don’t say, “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Mary. That’s not my job.” Such an answer affects how the other person perceives you. At best, you become known as someone unreliable, uninformed, and uncaring. At worst, people believe you to be simply incompetent. Instead, see any questions from the other person’s perspective. If they’re coming to you for information, then they honestly believe you can help, so do so. http://www.porcupinecommunications.com http://www.porcupinecommunications.com
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