Being accountable for results is grounded in accountable behaviors. Managers of profitable businesses earn profits because they get things done. They seek solutions to their problems because they recognize that they own the results of their actions.
Managers who don’t practice accountable behaviors are quick to make excuses, blame, and complain. They are more likely to wait and hope as victims who are always scrambling for cash because they are part of a business that never makes enough money.
Overview
Being an accountable manager for results is more than meeting the minimal technical proficiency and job requirements. It is about defining your role by your ability to consistently manage diverse individuals to perform reliably on a daily basis.
You can easily recognize an accountable manager when you see them exhibit the following qualities:
- They possess emotional stability. An effective manager can control his or her temper under all conditions. Even when the going gets tough, they will follow an orderly, well-planned procedure that is flexible enough to permit changes when necessary—all without coming unhinged.
- They are impartial and fair. An effective manager does not allow personal likes and dislikes to influence decisions.
- They are skilled in working with information. They can recognize patterns and trends in data and use them to make informed conclusions.
- They are open-minded and alert to new ideas. An open-minded person has greater flexibility in facing the varying situations that must be faced daily.
- They handle decision-making positively, quickly, and confidently; shaky and uncertain decisions cost indecisive managers the respect of other managers and subordinates.
- They understand the personalities of their subordinates to obtain the best work and cooperation from them. Subordinates must feel understood, and they must know they are under the steady and dependable direction of a manager they trust.
- They take advantage of opportunities to show the way, rather than merely dictating every move. Subordinates should feel that they are doing worthwhile work that they can see value in completing. This helps them to have a sense of accomplishment in their work.
- They communicate a feeling of confidence in their subordinate’s ability to do what’s asked. If a subordinate’s confidence is lacking, a competent manager must be able to train that subordinate in his or her task correctly.
- They know when to praise and commend a subordinate for work well done as well as to correct or criticize a subordinate, privately, for unsatisfactory work performance.
- They anticipate changes in the business environment. The best managers continuously scan the horizon and formulate proactive strategies to improve productivity.
Because accountable managers are disciplined at doing the above, they don’t wait to be blindsided; instead, they take the initiative to discover what’s around the next corner to be ready when it comes.