AccountabilityTaking responsibility for something that youhave done or something you are supposed to do.Or more simply… doing what you say you will do.

I have lived a life full of accountability. My own… helping others be accountable too. A much used word… most often misunderstood.But accountability lies at the root of character, respect… above all trust.

First. Accountability is dyadic. Between two people. Not a group, committee or room full. One to one. Preferably in an eye to eye exchange. Critical for avoiding too much process in work. Chasing the “did that get done?”s. Following up. Shortening the cycle between the start and the finish of most directives, instructions given. Just acceptance that something simply needs to get done.In my coaching, consulting careers I’ve used a very simple formula to detect those who accept responsibility… are accountable or not.AWDs… Action Who Deadline.

Three columns in writing on a pad, easel, computer whatever. Always documented.Action… what needs to get done. Clearly described.Who… the one person responsible for getting it done. He/she may not do all the work, but they are accountable to see it gets done.Deadline… the specific time this needs to be done by.Easy? No. My experience? I’ve seen more pauses in a work session over who’s accountable for what, by when than in any other interaction.

You see we’re all human. The flurry of activity too many times masks the purity of simply “doing what you say you will do” … taking responsibility for getting something done.How many meetings end like this. “Ok, I see our time is up.” Everyone scurries to their next thing. AWDs ignored, absent.Mary, a “friend” of mine (remember I have no “clients” only friends).was having trouble. “I can’t believe him!” … (Good thing here. She said “him” not “them”) One person. We were already on our way to reaching an accountable outcome. “I’ve asked that guy to deliver resumes for our crucial meeting three, three!! times.” Mary was clear about what needed to get done. The resumes. She had identified the person responsible for delivering them. Him. But here was her mistake. “I need them in a week.” The fatal flaw that ruins most accountable relationships. A specific deadline… like Monday June 30th. Or if necessary with those we question will deliver? Here, Mary’s resume guy… how bout Monday at 1:30pm.The slippage with getting things done usually resides in the deadline. By far the most important piece of all AWDs.A tip here.

If deadlines set are to be adhered to? Always were doable, have the person responsible for execution set his/her deadline. If you set it? You’re setting yourself for this. “I didn’t have enough time. That timeframe you gave me didn’t give me enough time.” Airball on youth part. Whiff. Oh, the deadline needs to meet the needs of the work process at hand. But he/ she sets the deadline. Not you.

Always suggest your accountable one take more time, maybe 20-25% more time than they think they’ll need. Reduces pressure a little. Best assures a favorable outcome.Try AWDs. Know that deadlines are the Achilles heal here. Most dropped, avoided of all AWDs. But those “who do what they say they say they will do” will not only help themselves, but all those involved as well.