Why Business Owners Feel Overwhelmed
Before profit. Before revenue. Before increased value. There’s one thing business owners and team leads want above all else: an accountable team.
Not just a group of good people — but a team that actually delivers, on time, without you having to chase them.
The truth is, most owners I meet are stressed because they feel like they’re carrying the whole business on their back. They’re redoing work that should have been done, staying late to finish what slipped through the cracks, and wondering if their biggest investment — their team — is ever going to pay off.
That was exactly Jane’s story.
The Problem: Reverse Delegation
When I started working with Jane (name changed to protect the innocent), all she wanted was a team who did what they said they would do — without constant reminders. She loved her people, but she felt like she spent all day chasing their work and never had enough time to do her own.
By 7:00 p.m. most nights, she was still at the office, drowning in what I call “reverse delegation.” Instead of her team supporting her, she was doing their work for them. She was tired, frustrated, and questioning whether she had made the right hires.
The Shift: Culture of Accountability
When Jane and I put a few simple tools in place to create a culture of accountability, things started to shift quickly.
Her team began taking ownership. They started bringing solutions, not just problems. Customer deadlines were not only being hit but often beaten. NPS scores rose. Testimonials flooded her inbox. And for the first time in a long time, Jane left the office at a reasonable hour — confident her team had things covered.
Here’s the thing: you can’t hold someone accountable. It’s nearly impossible. What you can do is build an organization where accountable people thrive.
6 Tips to Create a Culture of Accountability
1. Never Lower Your Bar
In today’s fast-moving world, it’s easy to let expectations slide. But once you lower the bar, it’s hard to raise it again. Keep your standards high and never waiver — it’s the foundation of accountability.
2. Strengthen Your CORE
Communicating your Objectives, Responsibilities and Expectations is one of the best ways to help accountable people stay accountable. When priorities are clear and shared, your team can stay aligned and focused.
3. Only Hire ACING Fits for Your Vision
This should go without saying, but it’s worth repeating. Only hire ACING Fits: the Right People in the Right Seats producing the Right Results. They have the Ability, Capacity, Interest, Need, and Genius to do the job you need done.
4. Gamify Your Numbers
Your people are already playing games outside of work — golf, video games, apps on their phones. Why not bring some of that energy into the workplace? Scoreboards, fun challenges, and competition make hitting goals more engaging and exciting.
5. Immediately Address Slackers
It may sound harsh, but what you tolerate, you encourage. If you allow slacking, even your accountable people will start to lose motivation. Don’t brush performance issues under the rug — deal with them right away.
6. Celebrate the Wins
If you do nothing else, do this. Celebrating wins — both big and small — fuels accountability. Just look at sports: the Masters, the Super Bowl, the World Series. At the end, there’s always celebration. People want to win — and they want to be recognized when they do.
Final Word
Building a culture of accountability is a mission in itself. It starts with defining what accountability looks like to you and then breathing life into it through consistent action.
The payoff? Less stress, fewer late nights, and a team that finally works for you instead of the other way around.
If you’re ready to define your culture and create an accountable team, schedule a Free 90-Minute Call with me. Together we’ll map out a path to accountability that lightens your load and strengthens your business.
