Increasing Personal Responsibility in Your Team

#10, Jun3 3, 2008

Last week we focused on the responsibilities of being a leader, particularly for the environment you create, and for setting an example of personal responsibility to your team members. I also emphasized the difference between being responsible to others, and being responsible for yourself.

So what are employees responsible for?

My view is that they are responsible for their own decisions and actions. They are responsible for their performance. But we know from basic psychology that people do not accept responsibility for their performance when they have no say in what to do or how to do it.

Many leaders feel anxious about letting team members have more of a say in how to achieve excellence. They fear their goals will not be achieved or that people will make mistakes, despite the overwhelming evidence that organizations that tap in to their employees' talent and creativity achieve superior financial results.

In situations where you feel the need to take control of a situation, take the following steps:

  1. Stop and think. Is this a situation where you really need to make the decision? Have you asked your team for input on how to solve the problem or improve performance?
  2. In reviewing your day, ask yourself, "Have I been more focused on getting people to do what I want them to do, or on getting them to perform at their best?"
  3. Before contributing your ideas, encourage team members to contribute their ideas. Make sure they are not just saying what they think you want to hear, by challenging their responses: "Do you really think that is the best course of action?"
Resist the temptation to be involved in team problem solving unless you are asked. Let your team be aware that you are available for assistance or mentoring, but that you want them to take responsibility for deciding how to best improve performance. When you tap into the creativity and talent of your team members, you will be a much more effective leader. At the same time, once they take responsibility for their own performance, they will go to extreme lengths to perform at their best every day.

Keep reading our Weekly Leadership Tips for ways you can create a work environment where all team members are engaged, committed to your organization, and passionate about doing a great job every time.

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© 2007 Keith Ayers. All rights reserved.

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