Creating Accountability in Your Small Business

Accountability is the obligation to accept responsibility for one’s actions, decisions, and commitments, and to explain or account for them, regardless of the outcome. In other words, accountability means doing what you say you’re going to do, or taking responsibility if you don’t.

In a small business, accountability can be tricky. You’re usually operating with a small team. Everyone is wearing multiple hats. There is usually more to get done than you have people to do them.

But, while it’s difficult, accountability is important. Here’s how to instill accountability in your small business:

1. Define roles and responsibilities. Make sure everyone knows who owns each role.
2. Be clear with expectations. Don’t make people guess. To be clear is to be kind.
3. Inspect what you expect. If you’ve instructed your team to handle a task a certain way, check in to be sure they are doing so. This does not mean you micromanage. This simply means you set the expectation and check in periodically to ensure your team is delivering.
4. Provide feedback. If someone misses a deadline, makes a mistake, or doesn’t handle a situation the way you would like, tell them. Provide the feedback. Discuss why the deadline was missed or the mistake was made. Hold the team member accountable.

While holding your team accountable is critical, what might be even more important in a small business is holding yourself accountable.

As a small business owner, you’re often alone at the top. You set a goal, but who will know if you don’t hit it. You make a plan. But, if no one knows the plan but you, it’s easy to deviate.

If you’re a small business owner, you need to create accountability for yourself.

1. Share your goals with your team. Keep them updated on progress.
2. Find an accountability partner. Meet regularly and have weekly check-ins on projects.
3. Join a peer group. Share your struggles. Ask for feedback.

Creating accountability for your team and yourself will help you get more done, improve your quality, and hit your goals.

If you’re looking for help in creating accountability for yourself as a business owner, consider joining The Small Business CEO THRIVE Network.