Recently, I’ve been thinking about accountability a lot.  What is it that inspires teammates and vendors to WANT to be super accountable?  Of course, we can easily say that they get PAID to do a great job and that should be reason enough.  But if you’ve been in business for a while, you know that isn’t true.  Team members need to have an emotional investment in the product, the company, the idea, and yes, even in you.  So here’s three profoundly simple steps to consider when you’re building, keeping and inspiring your own rockin’ team.

 1. Make sure you communicate your needs and expectations clearly.  If one of your gang doesn’t know what your goals, priorities and deadlines are, it’s easy for them to miss the mark.  If they DO miss the mark, don’t hesitate to make your expectations clear – again, with specific goals, priorities and deadlines.  And be sure that YOU are accountable.  If you say you’re going to get them numbers or reports or geez, even pictures on the web, be sure to do it.  YOU set the tone for accountability, not anybody else.  

2. Never praise and criticize in the same discussion.  It just mucks up your message.  At best, they’ll be confused.  At worst, they’ll be fearful.  And neither of those things inspires emotional investment.  

3. Life equals the people you meet and the things you create together, so be sure that you’ve chosen the RIGHT people.  But once you HAVE that, once you’re team is rockin’ the results and showing up and knocking it out of the park, remember to express appreciation every day.  They need to know that you SEE their work and it matters.  THAT builds ties that bind. 

Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
http://www.ResultsNowSummit.com/letter