1. Omaha OD Network Meeting notes from January 10, 2007 meeting Accountability: You Can Count On It!Discussion Topic 1: When you hear the word accountability, what does that mean to you?- its like responsibility on steroids taking it beyond what youre responsible for to afeeling of ownership- is values-based, values like truthfulness, integrity, genuineness- taking ownership of the actions and outcomes- The buck stops here.- the action of setting up systems and processes to enable accountability- its both external and internal external is the systems in place to ensure internalaccountability, which is the values. Internalized ownership, choice- if its just external programs (e.g. performance management system) in isolation, itsoften flawed, resisted, forced)- it comes down to choice. Is forced accountability still accountability?- its often used to manage risks, when you list out exactly what you will do, it becomes azero sum game where risks are differentiated (e.g. Im accountable for this, but not forthat), If the accountability is broader, it can be looked at holistically where all shareaccountability for the outcomes- its so vast and varied in meaning when youre working with others to seek or create it,you really need to clarify what you mean by it so youre working toward the same thing Discussion Topic 2: Share a high point in your career when you were most impressed with the accountability displayed by an organization or an individual. What were the underlying principles driving or supporting that accountability?- integrity- vulnerability- you feel more loyalty to someone who screws up and admits it, makes it right- putting ego aside for the projects success (putting self-interest aside for the greatergood)- emotional attachment a value- commitment in crisis needed a process to help- part of their mission, taking whatever action was necessary to live out the companysmission, to do the right thing even if takes heroic effort- caring, compassionate community- cascading effect works in the shadow of the leader- WILLINGNESS taking it upon yourself to change, to admit there are areas you cangrow in, working diligently to make those changes- rising to someones expectations- taking a risk- accountable for others being off-track accountability not only for own actions, but alsofor others- transparency, there are no agendas; altruistic in appearance vs. self-centered,egotistical

2. Inspiring story shared about the president of Nebraska Wesleyan giving his 2006 bonus tohelp fund installation of sprinkler systems in all student housingInspiring story of OPPD employees volunteering to take extra shifts and work late into thenight in order to assist efforts in restoring power to partners customers in central Nebraska. Discussion Topic 3: If you had 2 wishes granted that would enable more accountability within your organization, what would they be?- Clear communication that everyone gets. That way everyone understands what theirwork is, what they are accountable for.- same definition of accountability, shared understandings- clarity about the outcome, boundaries- if you have a clear picture, youll move in that direction- not being hierarchical- known consequences to actions- building trust- that people will admit when they make a mistake, say what theyre going to dodifferently in the future, and then follow through- there is more accountability if people are passionate about their jobs have a careeramnesty day where people can get out of positions theyre not suited for and step intoones theyre passionate about, without repercussion!- Set an organization up from the beginning for accountability hiring and on-boardingprocesses that focus on people understanding what the organization believes about andexpects regarding accountability- Glorious Failure Award! Employees are honored if they give great effort, but there isfailure for some reason out of their control. Encourages risks.- Get at peoples hearts- transparency let go of history and begin to trust, having common goals- common commitment to collaborate (check egos at the door)- Courage to communicate, talk to each other- comfort with mistakes as learning opportunities- permission to voice dissenting opinion AHA!!s from the mornings discussion- more inspired to be accountable!- the value of having leadership showing their integrity VISIBLE, PUBLIC,CELEBRATED.- Good message for CEOs and all leaders. Very important for leaders.