You know those old MGM movies about ancient Rome where there would invariably be the scene where the long boats were rowing off to sea to battle somebody. Everyone rolled their arms in unison, each oar reached the same height before plummeting with the same precision into the water. The captain kept time, beating a drum; the rowers would chant to keep the rhythm. Thus, the rowers were accountable to the captain.
Fast forward to today’s business environment. What if the tasks of a business were not achieved in a timely manner? What if the bookkeeping went astray? What if the market analysis for the month was not completed? Each item on a business owner’s “to do” list should be considered like an oar on a Roman long boat. OK, maybe we’re stretching things a bit, but there’s a reason.
Without the rowers keeping time, keeping watch, the boat goes off kilter. In today’s world, businesses require the same such accountability to keep from losing precious time, dollars, or opportunities.
Dr. Bert Shlensky President of Startup Connection (www.startupconnection.net ) calls it “cattle prodding.”
“It’s a necessary function in any business,” he says, “whether it’s a single owner, or group ownership, there needs to be accountability somewhere to someone, with also repercussions should duties not be carried out.” We particularly love Webster’s definition of “accountability.” It reads, “The obligation to bear the consequences for failure to perform as expected.”
While for some, this may bring on fear of being punished or ridiculed, but in the right hands, it should create a climate of reliance focus and motivation; Not only on the executive team, but on the workers. Ultimately, says Bert, “business owners are truly accountable to one person: their customers.” Who can forget New York City’s Mayor Ed Koch who would regularly visit subway stations around the boroughs and ask the riders, “How’m I doin’?” And for that reason, he became legend.
What accountability is meant to do, ultimately, is raise the level of running a business.
As Stephen R. Covey, one of the world’s foremost leadership authorities, organizational experts, and thought leaders, says, “Accountability breeds response-ability.”
Dr. Bert Shlensky is president of www.startupconnection.net and his ability, along with his team to help businesses with realistic planning, testing, adaptation, and execution are key to business startup success.
