let someone else do it

A quick thought for the weekend…

I was discussing with someone the other day about the difference between accountability and control. If you control something you are accountable for it completely, you own it and the results. If someone else controls something they have the accountability. In business we often talk about accountability but we are not willing to give the control of that result to the person we hold accountable. This sets up an unavoidable conflict.

As a leader you are responsible for everything that reports to you. But that does not mean you have to control every aspect of it. And if you think about it in order to engage other people and keep them accountable than you MUST allow them more control of the result.

So the challenge and opportunity that I want everyone to think about is this… think of some task that you control right now. Ask yourself do I need to have this control? Find one action and let someone else do it. That is a key phrase. It is weird to relinquish some control and ownership but that is OK. You are control of everything that you lead – your people should feel the same way about their charge and the only way is to make sure they feel that accountability and control.

If you are doing this … great you can find something else! If you are someone who struggles with this – and I know I do at times – take the next few days and find something and make the commitment to let someone else do it.

A note… follow up is not controlling. It is a chance to coach and make sure that things are done – especially as someone is newly learning accountability. So find something… let someone else do it… see when it gets done… give them food positive feedback and make sure they know they can do that again.

It is not a loss of control it is a way to build accountability.