Henry Browning

Reprint of the original, first published in 1871.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1871.

Cada vez hay m s desaf os directivos que requieren que los l deres muestren accountability: que tomen la iniciativa sin tener plena autoridad respecto a los procesos o resultados. El accountability va m s all de la responsabilidad. Por regla general, la responsabilidad nos la delega nuestro jefe, la organizaci n, o forma parte de nuestro cargo; el accountability, en cambio, implica tener un sentido intr nseco de responsabilidad por la tarea y la voluntad de afrontar las consecuencias que se derivan del xito y del fracaso. En este manual aprender c mo su organizaci n y sus l deres pueden crear una cultura que fomente el accountability al centrarse en cinco reas: apoyo, libertad, informaci n, recursos y claridad de objetivos y funciones.

More and more managerial challenges require leaders to be accountable--to take initiative without having full authority for the process or the outcomes. Accountability goes beyond responsibility. Whereas responsibility is generally delegated by the boss, the organization, or by virtue of position, accountability is having an intrinsic sense of ownership of the task and the willingness to face the consequences that come with success or failure.

Between the time a team is launched and the time it delivers results, managers need to know that the team is on course. Whether they have launched a team to achieve a business objective or have inherited a team, they need to monitor effectiveness on an ongoing basis and make course corrections that keep small problems from becoming major disasters. Monitoring and maintaining team performance is a key element of leading a team. You can provide that leadership by paying attention to four important dimensions: team member effort, team member knowledge and skills, team tactics, and group dynamics. By focusing on those four areas, you can assess your team's performance, zero in on areas of weakness, and take the corrective measures necessary to ensure peak performance and to deliver expected results.