What Everyone Needs To Know About Responsibility
Everyone has responsibilities, whether it's at home or work. But the workplace is full of them, often listed in our job description, letting us know what we are in charge of. But, there are times when responsibilities get pushed around, or even passed along to others to lighten our load.
Responsible for your work
Consider this hard-working employee for the moment. This person shows up at 7:30am every morning, completes their tasks, leaves work at 6:05pm, and manages to get home in time for dinner every evening. Responsibilities are fulfilled and the quality of the work is satisfactory. They don't push their responsibilities onto others, nor do they distract themselves with miscellaneous work or non-work related practices (checking their personal social media updates). This person is successful at their job, to a degree.
Yet it's more than providing satisfaction
If you're seeking advancement in your position or additional responsibilities, it will take more than satisfying your job duties. It means exceeding what's considered standard.
Becoming accountable for your work
Do you know what the Key Performance Indicators are for your position, your department, your company and your corporation? How does what you do daily fit into and move those indicators inevitably to attainment?
At Nordstrom's, the foundation of their goals is customer service at the level the customer needs it. When a customer has a need or finds "policies and procedures" preventing them from gaining satisfaction in their interaction, then the employee who is working with that customer has the ‘company trust to be accountable to Nordstrom's overall goal' and can make decisions that would better serve the customer and Nordstroms.
The difference
What's the difference between accountability and responsibility? An accountable employee is able to handle their customer's situation themselves. If they made the sale, an accountable employee realizes that they are responsible for the sale until and long after it has been fulfilled. They handle the client with care, possibly requesting a way to reach them when the information or product is found. The accountable employee contacts the delivery department or courier service to find out what has gone awry. These tasks are quick, and often much easier for an employee to find than they would be for a wandering customer who is waiting on hold with a slightly irritated expression on their face.
Accountability is a step above responsibility, and because this employee are empowered to be accountable to the client they were serving, they are successful in their work.
The responsible employee manages the situation to the extent of their satisfactory work, whereas the accountable employee does whatever it takes to ensure their work is successful. The accountable employee shows signs of leadership, able to take control of the situation without having to be told what to do. If you are to be successful, you must show leadership and accountable qualities as you accomplish your responsibilities.
Accountable employees do not confuse activity with accomplishment. They understand that it's more important to be effective than merely efficient. And, they deliver something that's most precious to them – their hearts and mind.
In your work place or your business, do you empower accountability?
Responsible for your work
Consider this hard-working employee for the moment. This person shows up at 7:30am every morning, completes their tasks, leaves work at 6:05pm, and manages to get home in time for dinner every evening. Responsibilities are fulfilled and the quality of the work is satisfactory. They don't push their responsibilities onto others, nor do they distract themselves with miscellaneous work or non-work related practices (checking their personal social media updates). This person is successful at their job, to a degree.
Yet it's more than providing satisfaction
If you're seeking advancement in your position or additional responsibilities, it will take more than satisfying your job duties. It means exceeding what's considered standard.
Becoming accountable for your work
Do you know what the Key Performance Indicators are for your position, your department, your company and your corporation? How does what you do daily fit into and move those indicators inevitably to attainment?
At Nordstrom's, the foundation of their goals is customer service at the level the customer needs it. When a customer has a need or finds "policies and procedures" preventing them from gaining satisfaction in their interaction, then the employee who is working with that customer has the ‘company trust to be accountable to Nordstrom's overall goal' and can make decisions that would better serve the customer and Nordstroms.
The difference
What's the difference between accountability and responsibility? An accountable employee is able to handle their customer's situation themselves. If they made the sale, an accountable employee realizes that they are responsible for the sale until and long after it has been fulfilled. They handle the client with care, possibly requesting a way to reach them when the information or product is found. The accountable employee contacts the delivery department or courier service to find out what has gone awry. These tasks are quick, and often much easier for an employee to find than they would be for a wandering customer who is waiting on hold with a slightly irritated expression on their face.
Accountability is a step above responsibility, and because this employee are empowered to be accountable to the client they were serving, they are successful in their work.
The responsible employee manages the situation to the extent of their satisfactory work, whereas the accountable employee does whatever it takes to ensure their work is successful. The accountable employee shows signs of leadership, able to take control of the situation without having to be told what to do. If you are to be successful, you must show leadership and accountable qualities as you accomplish your responsibilities.
Accountable employees do not confuse activity with accomplishment. They understand that it's more important to be effective than merely efficient. And, they deliver something that's most precious to them – their hearts and mind.
In your work place or your business, do you empower accountability?
