This is the final article in a series looking at 'being a good people person'. There are three key areas of 'people stuff' - availability, approachability and accountability. In this article, we will investigate the issue of accountability in some depth.

Accountability:
I believe that one of the major reasons that leaders crash is because of a lack of accountability. To be accountable is to be liable to be called to account. Over recent times the word has become associated with having a close network of support. These definitions are simply two sides of the same coin and cannot exist without the other.

Accountability is about putting yourself in a position of ultimate responsibility. President Harry S. Truman summed up accountability very succinctly when he said 'the buck stops here.' Accepting responsibility is what leadership is about. A leader's job is to lead and that means letting your people know that you are playing your part and taking responsibility. The words "It's not my fault" should never come out of the mouths of any quality leader of depth. By letting others know that 'the buck stops here', they will take risks and push forward the barriers of creativity and innovation. At Signify we have recently been considering the delicate balance that needs to be found between accepting the responsibility that comes with being a leader and allowing others to take responsibility for the things they are involved in. In order to get the best out of your people, they must feel valued; that the part they play is important and has consequences.

Accountability has to be proactive and intentional. Every leader should have one or more people that can both support them and call them to account over their intentions, aspirations and priorities. John C. Maxwell states that 'leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.' If you are going to be a leader you need to demonstrate that you are worth following and that is done through influence. Albert Schweitzer said 'example is not the main thing in influencing others - it is the only thing.' Hence, leadership without personal accountability and support can often become a liability. To lead is to be out in front. This too easily creates unhealthy isolation, the further up the 'food chain', the worse it often gets. If we are to exemplify what we stand for and if we are to demonstrate that we are worth following then I suspect that most, if not all, of us need people to help us in that. A support network comprising of wiser people, experienced people, honest people and great friends can hold leaders up when they feel down, bring them down to earth when their feet have left the ground and keep them on the path that they have chosen (and others need them), to walk.

Reflective Questions
What kind of network do I have in place to keep me accountable?
How often to I fully accept responsibility for the things that I should?
Who or what do I want to be known as?

Phil Wall
CEO