- 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.