5 Keys That Boost Accountability - Small Business Trends

A steadfast accountability is the best antidote to tempering volatility.? It?s really easy today to get off track, distracted, and behind. The demands of being an outstanding worker, a small business owner,?or a top professional couldn?t be more demanding today.

No matter what stage?of life or career one is in, we are perpetually juggling, multi-tasking and balancing to try to stay afloat, get ahead,?stay ahead and?find some time for ourselves.

I have found that a steadfast accountability to my professionalism, a continued commitment to embrace change, while still?keeping a sense of humor, are tantamount to dealing with uncertainty and volatility. Things are getting better, but still uncertain and volatile.

Accountability to ourselves, our customers and our networks can keep?us on track. Additionally,?when we hold ourselves accountable, we usually have a better sense of when we are NOT on track. Rather than re-acting when it?s already too late, ?accountability can provide us with the intuition to gauge how our life and career are really going. We can use that intuition to move fast to correct and adjust.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management reports that the positive results of accountability include:

• improved performance
• more participation and involvement
• increased feelings of competence
• increased commitment to the work
• more creativity and innovation
• higher morale and satisfaction with the work

So is there anyone reading this that doesn?t want these benefits?

In his book,?The Accountability Revolution, Mark Samuel says:

?Accountability means people can count on one another to keep performance commitments and communication agreements.??Accountability can result in increased synergy, a safe climate for experimentation and change and improved solutions because people feel supported and trusted.?

Here are?5 keys that can boost ?professional accountability:

1. Professional Habits?- Follow a daily schedule, time block, prioritize, organize, and delegate. Practice discipline.

2. Following a Process?- Have a plan for your intentions, goals and direction and be persistently patient with how it unfolds.

3. Flawless Execution?- Be?consistent with how you?execute your? daily process and activities. Be flexible and willing to tweak things as they arise.

4. Consistent Evaluation?- Always be reviewing, surveying and getting feedback. Conduct focus groups with your own customers and follow trends.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice?- Do all of the things you need to do and are good at that not only ?come natural for you, but also the things that you dislike, don?t always want to deal with, and don?t come as naturally to you!?Practice, rehearse and?repeat what makes you effective and gets results.

Being a great free throw shooter in basketball takes a willingness to shoot hundreds of free throws daily. Practicing the motion and roll off the hand over and over again is what sinks winning shots in the clutch.

Are you willing to practice accountability to win?

• Take a personal inventory
• Take better care of yourself
• Hire a career or business consultant or coach
• Prioritize and tackle a few things at a time, that can make the most difference

Suit up, show up and speak up ready, willing and able to do your best every day and you set yourself up for the best to happen.

Key Photo via Shutterstock

About the Author

Deborah Shane is an author, speaker, media host, business and career brand/branding consultant. Deborah hosts her blog, Deborah Shane Toolbox, and weekly business radio show, Deborah Shane Metropolis. She writes for several national business, career, branding, business and marketing sites. Her new book, "Career Transition: Make the Shift is available through all major book sellers.

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Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2012/02/5-keys-boost-accountability.html

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