Accountability is the cornerstone of effective teamwork and the final success factor of a high-performing team. When team members take ownership of their actions and responsibilities, it leads to better collaboration, improved performance and a healthier work environment.

All the elements of the adapt team model need to be in place to build accountability. 

• Establishing trust & psychological safety to allow for honest feedback and candid conversations. 
• Agreeing the values of the team and encouraging behaviour aligned with them
• Establishing role clarity and who is responsible for what
• Using the adapt platform for task management
• Tracking action items and providing status updates to allow clear communication and prioritise focus and visibility
• Holding peer catch ups to have collaborative conversations, build trust and give and receive feedback to one another
• Charting & updating work processes that sit under your role accountabilities
• Conducting team meetings using the adapt platform provides opportunity to have focused team conversations that is central to the work of the team

Benefits of accountability in a team include:

1. Enhanced productivity

Tasks are completed promptly and efficiently. When team members feel responsible for their work, they are more likely to meet deadlines and deliver quality results. A culture of accountability encourages everyone to do their best work and understand the interdependent nature of work tasks and the importance of making sure their part is executed well.

2. Clear communication

Teams that prioritise accountability communicate more effectively. When individuals take ownership of their roles, they actively share progress, challenges, and updates. Transparent communication helps prevent misunderstandings, reduces conflicts and promotes a positive team dynamic.

3. Prioritisation and focus

Teams prioritise their tasks based on impact and urgency. When everyone knows their responsibilities, they can allocate time and resources effectively. Clear priorities lead to better decision-making and streamlined workflows.

4. Higher engagement

Team members are more engaged. They feel invested in the team’s success and take pride in their contributions. Engaged team members are more likely to go the extra mile, collaborate with enthusiasm and contribute innovative ideas.

5. Trust and collaboration

When everyone fulfils their commitments, trust flourishes. Trust, in turn, fosters collaboration. Teams that trust each other work seamlessly, share knowledge and achieve collective goals. Team members are more likely to have open dialogue when there is tension in team relationships, see behaviours that do not support team work or when there are bottlenecks in the systems of their work.

6. Improved execution of work

Projects move forward smoothly. When team members are accountable for specific tasks, project milestones are met consistently. This reliability minimises bottlenecks and keeps projects flowing. 

Accountable teams excel in their performance and contribute positively to creating a healthy working culture. 

More resources to help build accountability:

Videos
Peer Accountability Video (Patrick Lencioni) - YouTube

Accountability Ladder - relates to the above and below the line principle
Accountability Ladder - YouTube
Team leaders can use this video for an exercise. Team members note down actual behaviours they are seeing and experiencing in their team that demonstrate the different levels of the ladder on sticky notes. The team then put the notes on a wall chart or digital board containing the ladder. Everyone discusses the notes and agrees what positive behaviours look like for each rung and agree on the behaviours that best demonstrate accountability in the team. These can be captured in the team guidance on the adapt platform for the team.