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May 24, 2023 6 Steps to Creating an Environment of Accountability

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

As a leader, it’s important to foster a culture of accountability within your team. Holding your team accountable does not have to come at the expense of compassion or empathy. In fact, heart-led leadership can be very powerful, even when you have to draw a line in the sand at times and hold your people accountable for their words, behaviors, and actions. Here are six steps you can take to create a culture of accountability within your team:

Step 1: Clearly Define Expectations

The first step to creating a culture of accountability is to clearly define expectations. Make sure everyone on your team knows what is expected of them, whether in terms of individual goals or team goals (make sure everyone is on board with a shared vision). This can be done through one-on-one meetings or team meetings where expectations are laid out and discussed.

Step 2: Set SMART Goals

Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals is an effective way to hold your team accountable. These goals should be aligned with company objectives and should be reviewed regularly to ensure progress is being made. The “M” in SMART goals is particularly important because it ensures that progress can be measured and tracked.

Step 3: Provide Ongoing Feedback

Regular feedback is key to holding your team accountable since it allows you to address any issues early on and make adjustments as needed. Make sure to provide both positive and constructive feedback on a regular basis to keep your team on track. This feedback can be given individually or, if appropriate, during team meetings. I usually recommend using the D4 model, which stands for Data, Depth of Feeling, Dramatic Interpretation, and Do. To learn more about this model, view my past blog post on the topic.

Step 4: Lead by Example

As a leader, it’s important to lead by example. This means holding yourself accountable as well as your team. Make sure you are following through on your commitments and are meeting your own goals. This will set the tone for your team and help create a culture of accountability.

Step 5: Encourage Ownership

Encouraging ownership is another effective way to create a culture of accountability. When someone feels like they truly have a stake in a project AND the power to make a significant contribution, they are more likely to take ownership and be accountable for the outcome. Give your team members autonomy and empower them to make decisions and take responsibility for their work.

Step 6: Celebrate Successes

Finally, celebrate successes! Recognize when your team members meet their goals, achieve a milestone, or exceed expectations. This creates a positive team culture and reinforces the importance of accountability. Celebrating successes can be done through verbal recognition, awards, or team outings.

Creating a culture of accountability is key to the success of any team. By following these six steps, you can start creating a culture of accountability that is both compassionate and effective (you can have both!). Foster growth and success for your team and your organization through intelligent accountability practices.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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May 3, 2023 Innovation in the Workplace: Strategies for Creativity and Progress

Photo by Kvalifik on Unsplash

In today’s constantly evolving business landscape, innovation and creativity have become essential for organizations to stay ahead of the curve. As a leader, it’s important to create a workplace environment that encourages and fosters creativity, allowing employees to innovate and progress in their work.

It’s easy to stay safely within the status quo, but “business as usual” is a sure recipe for stagnation and, eventually, falling behind. To become a truly innovative workplace, it is vital to take some risks, test the waters, and re-strategize when necessary.

Here are some strategies to encourage innovation and creativity in the workplace:

Welcome Diverse Perspectives

One of the key ingredients to encourage creativity and innovation in the workplace is to welcome diverse perspectives. A team comprised of individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets will bring unique ideas to the table. Far too often, we silence or discourage diverse voices and “never been done” ideas. But to achieve innovation, we must encourage employees to speak up and share their ideas. Make sure everyone knows their opinions are valued by truly listening and taking their thoughts, opinions, and ideas seriously.

Encourage Open Communication and Feedback

Another way to encourage creativity in the workplace is to foster an environment that promotes open communication and feedback between team members, and between the team leader and their team. As a leader, it’s essential to encourage your people to share their opinions, ask questions, and collaborate with each other. You may even open a couple avenues for anonymous communication (such as through surveys or anonymous forums). When it comes to generating new ideas and approaches to solving problems, communication is vital.

Accept Mistakes

Innovation is often accompanied by mistakes. Famously, Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” As a leader, it’s important to foster a culture where mistakes are accepted and seen as opportunities for growth and learning. Encourage your employees to experiment, take risks, and not be afraid of failing. Mistakes are a part of the learning process and we can take away valuable lessons and information from them. By accepting mistakes, you create an environment that is more conducive to innovation.

Provide Support and Resources

Innovation requires resources and support. As a leader, it’s essential to provide your team with the tools and resources they need to succeed. This may include time, money, software, hardware, and other resources. You must also actively seek new ideas and processes to support your team’s innovative endeavors. Providing support and resources is a key way to show that you value innovation and creativity in the workplace.

Test a Few Different Routes

Testing different routes can lead to creative solutions. Encourage your team to experiment and try different approaches to problem-solving. Brainstorming sessions, prototyping, and testing different solutions can lead to unexpected yet effective solutions. Remember to keep careful track of your methods, collect as much data as possible, and analyze that data to make informed decisions.

Encourage Continuous Learning

Innovation requires continuous learning, so it’s important to encourage your employees to keep learning and developing new skills. Provide opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences. Also, encourage your team to access online resources and attend webinars. By investing in your team’s education and development, you’ll create a culture that values innovation and is constantly striving for improvement.

Don’t Micromanage the Process!

Finally, one of the most important things a leader can do to encourage innovation and creativity in the workplace is to avoid micromanaging the process. Micromanaging can stifle creativity and prevent your team from exploring new ideas. Instead, give your team the freedom to take calculated risks, experiment, and innovate.

Encouraging innovation and creativity in the workplace is crucial for staying ahead in today’s fast-paced business world. By following these strategies, you can create a workplace where employees feel empowered to take risks, collaborate, and experiment with new ideas. Remember, innovation is a journey and not a destination. By fostering a culture that values innovation and creativity, you can create endless possibilities for your team and your organization.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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April 19, 2023 From Busy to Productive: 5 Steps to Take Control

We rush about our days, furiously trying to accomplish more and more, yet we often feel like we’re getting nowhere. If this resonates with you, it could be time to re-evaluate your approach to productivity. Here are five steps you can take to turn busyness into productivity.

Engage in Big-Picture Thinking

Too often, we approach our days in a reactive manner: racing to answer emails, putting out (figurative) fires, and responding to tasks. Instead, try shifting your focus to the bigger picture: what are your goals? What is your motivation? What would success look like? Take a few moments to review what you’ve accomplished in the past, the challenges you faced, and the progress you’ve made.

Simplify

Are you spending too much time on low priority tasks? Take inventory of the tasks that have filled up your days. Ask yourself what is the most meaningful thing you could be doing right now to reach the goals you’ve set for yourself? Ask yourself, “What am I avoiding?” Consider eliminating tasks that don’t support your larger goals. Reduce distractions and simplify.

Start the Day with a Plan

Rather than just diving into whatever tasks are right in front of you, take a few moments to plan out the day. Look at your bigger goals in the context of the day, and make a plan for which tasks will help you get closer to those goals. Give yourself permission to be realistic and start small. Determine what’s worth the effort and what can be left until later.

Say No

Be willing to say no to new tasks, even if you feel pressured to take them on. Respectfully decline projects that don’t work with your personal vision, goals, abilities, or current bandwidth. If a project conflicts with your goals, feel confident enough in yourself to say no.

Focus on Projects, Not Hours

If you’re told you have to sit at your desk for eight hours no matter what, you’ll likely pace yourself so you fill those eight hours exactly. This reminds me of how goldfish will grow bigger or remain small, according to how big their fish tank is. You have no motivation to work efficiently if you’ll be sitting in that chair for eight hours, no matter what.

On the other hand, if you focus on the project at hand (instead of hours), you’re more likely to work efficiently and effectively to complete it in a timely manner.

Turning busyness into productivity is not an easy task, but it IS achievable. Start by looking at the bigger picture, simplify, start your day with a plan, say no, and focus on projects instead of hours. With a few shifts in mentality, you can foster a much clearer and calmer workflow.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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