Advertisement
Accountability Definition in Management: A Critical Analysis of its Impact on Current Trends
Author: Dr. Eleanor Vance, PhD in Organizational Behavior, Professor of Management at the University of California, Berkeley.
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press – A leading publisher of scholarly and practical business literature, renowned for its rigorous editorial process and authoritative content.
Editor: Ms. Amelia Hernandez, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review Press, with 15+ years of experience editing management and leadership publications.
Keywords: accountability definition in management, management accountability, organizational accountability, corporate accountability, performance accountability, responsibility vs accountability, accountability frameworks, accountability in the workplace, accountability and leadership, accountability and ethics.
Summary: This analysis delves into the evolving definition of accountability in management, examining its multifaceted nature and impact on contemporary organizational structures and practices. It explores the complexities of assigning and fostering accountability, the crucial role of leadership, and the challenges posed by globalization, technological advancements, and evolving societal expectations. Furthermore, the analysis assesses the impact of diverse accountability frameworks and the need for a nuanced understanding of the concept to achieve organizational success and ethical conduct.
1. Defining Accountability in Management: Beyond Simple Responsibility
The very definition of "accountability definition in management" is surprisingly fluid. While often conflated with responsibility, accountability is a distinct concept. Responsibility refers to the obligation to perform a task; accountability, however, is the obligation to answer for the outcomes of that task. This crucial distinction highlights the inherent power dynamics within organizations. While individuals are responsible for their actions, accountability necessitates a mechanism for assessment and potential consequences. A clear accountability definition in management, therefore, needs to articulate these distinctions and establish clear lines of responsibility and answerability.
2. The Evolving Landscape of Accountability: Impact of Globalization and Technology
Globalization has dramatically altered the accountability landscape. Organizations operate across borders, navigating diverse legal and cultural norms. This necessitates a more sophisticated accountability definition in management, one that addresses issues of transparency, ethical sourcing, and environmental sustainability. Similarly, technological advancements, particularly the rise of big data and artificial intelligence, present new challenges and opportunities. Algorithmic accountability, for example, requires careful consideration of bias, transparency, and the potential for unintended consequences. The accountability definition in management must adapt to accommodate these transformative forces.
3. Leadership's Crucial Role in Fostering Accountability
Effective leadership is paramount in establishing and maintaining a culture of accountability. Leaders must articulate clear expectations, provide the necessary resources and support, and create a system for fair and consistent evaluation. They must also model accountable behavior, demonstrating transparency and taking responsibility for both successes and failures. A strong accountability definition in management, therefore, necessitates strong leadership committed to its implementation and enforcement. The failure of leadership to establish clear expectations and consequences can lead to a culture of impunity, undermining organizational effectiveness and ethical conduct.
4. Accountability Frameworks: A Multifaceted Approach
Numerous frameworks exist for implementing accountability within organizations. These range from traditional hierarchical structures with clear lines of authority to more decentralized models emphasizing team-based responsibility and shared accountability. The effectiveness of each framework depends on the specific context of the organization, its size, culture, and industry. The key is to select a framework that aligns with the organizational goals and values and supports a robust accountability definition in management. Choosing an inappropriate framework can lead to confusion, conflict, and a lack of clarity regarding who is responsible for what.
5. Accountability and Performance Management: Measuring Success and Addressing Shortcomings
Accountability definition in management is intrinsically linked to performance management. Performance metrics must be clearly defined, regularly monitored, and used to assess progress towards organizational goals. This requires a system for transparent communication, constructive feedback, and appropriate recognition of achievements. Addressing performance shortcomings necessitates a fair and consistent process for addressing issues, providing support, and implementing corrective actions. The accountability definition in management should explicitly outline these processes to ensure fairness and prevent the perception of bias or favoritism.
6. Accountability and Ethical Conduct: Navigating Moral Dilemmas
Accountability is a cornerstone of ethical conduct in organizations. A strong accountability definition in management establishes a clear expectation that individuals will be held responsible for their actions, promoting ethical behavior and discouraging misconduct. This requires a robust system for reporting and investigating ethical breaches, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the process. A culture of accountability fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages individuals to act in accordance with organizational values and societal expectations. Without a clearly defined accountability framework, unethical behavior is more likely to flourish.
7. Challenges and Pitfalls in Implementing Accountability
Implementing a robust accountability definition in management is not without its challenges. Resistance to change, lack of clarity regarding roles and responsibilities, and inconsistent application of standards are common hurdles. Furthermore, the pressure to achieve short-term results can sometimes overshadow the importance of long-term sustainability and ethical conduct. Overly punitive accountability systems can stifle innovation and creativity, while a lack of accountability can lead to complacency and poor performance. Careful planning, effective communication, and ongoing evaluation are essential for successful implementation.
8. The Future of Accountability in Management: Adapting to Change
The accountability definition in management will continue to evolve in response to ongoing societal, technological, and economic changes. The increasing emphasis on sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) will necessitate a more holistic approach to accountability, one that considers the broader impact of organizational actions. Furthermore, the rise of remote work and distributed teams requires innovative strategies for fostering accountability across geographical boundaries. Organizations must remain agile and adaptable, continuously refining their accountability frameworks to meet the changing demands of the future.
9. Conclusion
A robust accountability definition in management is not merely a procedural requirement; it is a fundamental element of effective organizational governance and ethical conduct. It requires a clear understanding of the distinction between responsibility and accountability, a strong commitment from leadership, and a well-defined framework for assigning, monitoring, and enforcing accountability. By addressing the challenges and adapting to the evolving landscape, organizations can harness the power of accountability to achieve their goals while fostering a culture of integrity and ethical behavior. The continuous refinement of the accountability definition in management is crucial for organizational success in a rapidly changing world.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between responsibility and accountability? Responsibility is the obligation to perform a task, while accountability is the obligation to answer for the results of that task.
2. How can leaders foster a culture of accountability? Leaders can foster a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations, providing resources and support, modeling accountable behavior, and establishing fair and consistent evaluation systems.
3. What are some common challenges in implementing accountability? Resistance to change, unclear roles and responsibilities, inconsistent application of standards, and pressure for short-term results are common challenges.
4. How can organizations ensure fair and transparent accountability processes? Organizations can ensure fairness and transparency by establishing clear guidelines, providing opportunities for feedback, and ensuring consistent application of standards.
5. What is the role of technology in shaping accountability? Technology, such as big data and AI, presents both challenges and opportunities for accountability, requiring careful consideration of bias, transparency, and potential unintended consequences.
6. How does accountability relate to ethical conduct? Accountability is a cornerstone of ethical conduct, promoting responsibility and discouraging misconduct.
7. What are some different accountability frameworks? Frameworks range from hierarchical structures to decentralized models emphasizing team-based responsibility and shared accountability.
8. How can organizations adapt their accountability definitions to changing circumstances? Organizations must remain agile and adaptable, continuously refining their accountability frameworks to meet changing societal, technological, and economic demands.
9. What are the potential consequences of a lack of accountability? A lack of accountability can lead to poor performance, unethical behavior, and a loss of trust among stakeholders.
Related Articles
1. "The Accountability Myth: Why Good Intentions Aren't Enough": Examines the limitations of simply stating expectations and the need for robust systems to support accountability.
2. "Building a Culture of Accountability: From Words to Action": Provides practical steps for leaders to cultivate a culture where accountability is valued and practiced.
3. "Accountability and Performance Management: Aligning Strategies for Success": Explores the integration of accountability and performance management systems for enhanced organizational effectiveness.
4. "Accountability in the Age of AI: Navigating Ethical and Practical Challenges": Addresses the unique challenges of accountability in the context of artificial intelligence.
5. "The Role of Leadership in Driving Accountability: A Case Study Approach": Presents case studies illustrating effective and ineffective leadership approaches to accountability.
6. "Accountability and Organizational Change: Managing Resistance and Fostering Buy-in": Discusses strategies for managing resistance to change when implementing new accountability systems.
7. "Accountability Frameworks in Diverse Organizational Contexts: A Comparative Analysis": Compares different accountability frameworks across various organizational types and industries.
8. "Measuring Accountability: Developing Effective Metrics and Evaluation Tools": Focuses on the development and implementation of effective metrics for assessing accountability.
9. "Accountability and Transparency: Building Trust and Enhancing Organizational Reputation": Explores the relationship between accountability, transparency, and the building of trust with stakeholders.
| accountability definition in management: Accountable Leaders Vince Molinaro, 2020-06-10 Proven methods to push your organization to its maximum potential with responsible leadership Accountable Leaders is the real-world guide to propelling your business to extraordinary levels of performance and achievement. Leadership accountability is a major issue in organizations around the globe. Research has shown that teams and individual employees are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the degree of accountability demonstrated by their leaders. Effective teams need responsible and accountable leaders—the solution seems simple. Yet, thousands of businesses are struggling with mediocre performance and widening gaps in leadership. This essential resource provides practical and no-nonsense strategies to transform any organization into a cohesive, highly motivated culture of accountable leaders and fully committed teams. Bestselling author Dr. Vince Molinaro shares his proven methods of optimal leadership accountability, providing a step-by-step blueprint for leaders in any organization. Developed from years of experience helping Fortune 500 companies build strong leaders and effective teams, this book will enable you to: Build strong leadership accountability to leverage competitive advantage, increase team performance, and close the leadership gap in your organization Understand why gaps in leadership occur and recognize accountability issues in your own organization Develop an effective strategy to instill a culture of accountability and responsibility in your business Identify and implement organizational practices that encourage accountable leadership throughout your management structure Accountable Leaders is a vital guide for anyone who leads a team: from managers and supervisors, to CEOs and CHROs. This invaluable guide will provide the tools and knowledge to take you and your organization to incredible levels of performance and achievement. |
| accountability definition in management: Mastering the Rockefeller Habits Verne Harnish, 2023-09-20 A Detailed Roadmap for Companies at Various Stages of Development on How to Get to the Next Level. Leaders and employees of growing firms want ideas and tools they can implement immediately to improve some aspect of their business. Verne Harnish, serial entrepreneur, advisor, and venture investor, brings to business leaders the fundamentals that produce real wealth—the same habits that typified American business magnate John D. Rockefeller’s disciplined approach to business. Harnish masterfully intertwines the legendary business philosophy of Rockefeller with lessons to be learned from ten extraordinary organizations. Aiming to empower present-day business leaders, this remarkably successful book includes invaluable lessons from real-world case studies. A treasure trove of practical situations teeming with insights and actionable recommendations, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits will help you unlock the secrets to scaling up your enterprise while simultaneously sidestepping the pitfalls that plague new ventures. From seasoned industry titans to ambitious start-up founders, anyone can swiftly implement these teachings for immediate impact. |
| accountability definition in management: Winning with Accountability Henry J. Evans, 2008-10 Looking to achieve greater results by creating a high-accountability culture in your organization? This book shows you how! By implementing this Accountability process, you can take your team to new levels of excellence. The practical methods outlined in this book will guide you to increase your personal and organization's success--Book cover |
| accountability definition in management: Reality-Based Leadership Cy Wakeman, 2010-09-21 Leadership strategies grounded in reality and focused on results Recent polls show that 71% of workers think about quitting their jobs every day. That number would be shocking-if people actually were quitting. Worse, they go to work, punching time clocks and collecting pay checks, while completely checked out emotionally. In Reality-Based Leadership, expert Fast Company blogger Cy Wakeman reveals how to be the kind of leader who changes the way people think about and perceive their circumstances-one who deals with the facts, clarifies roles, gives clear and direct feedback, and insists that everyone do the same-without drama or defensiveness. Filled with dynamic examples, innovative tools, and diagnostic tests, this book shows you how to become a Reality-Based Leader, revealing how to: Uncover destructive thought patterns with yourself and others Diffuse drama and lead the person in front of you Stop managing and start leading, empowering others to focus on facts and think for themselves Equipped with a facts-based, confident approach, you will free yourself from the frustrations you face at work and transform yourself into a Reality-Based Leader, with the ability to liberate and inspire others. |
| accountability definition in management: Governance, Management, and Accountability in Secondary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa World Bank, 2008-02-14 Increasingly the role of management and governance is recognized as important for providing and delivering effective services at all levels of education. In view of the growing demand for more and better services at secondary education levels, these are crucial issues that must be addressed urgently. Sub-Saharan Africa's secondary education and training systems must become more efficient and more effective. The current (unit) costs of junior and senior secondary education in most African countries prevent massive expansion of post-primary education. This demands a holistic approach to governance and management issues. In parallel, there is a demand from civil society and governments for greater accountability. This study aims to present best practices and identify sustainable development plans for expansion and improved quality and efficiency in the delivery of secondary education in Sub-Saharan Africa through better governance, management, and accountability. |
| accountability definition in management: Good Authority Jonathan Raymond, 2018 Why is it so rare for people to truly own their work? How can the employee engagement numbers be so bad year after year with no sign of getting better? In this book, Jonathan Raymond invites us to reexamine our assumptions about the role of leaders and how culture change and personal growth actually happen. The idea is as simple as it is radical: personal and professional growth are one thing, not two. Through powerful stories from his time as CEO of one of the most influential business coaching brands, along with the work he's doing with clients today. Jonathan Raymond reveals the good, bad and truly ugly of real life as a leader- from the perspective of someone who's made all the mistakes and reinvented a business (and himself) in the process. Good Authority is full of personal stories of leaders making the changes that matter, the real-life dialogue they're having with their teams and how you can change the conversation you're having with yours.--Page 4 of cover. |
| accountability definition in management: The Oz Principle Roger Connors, Tom Smith, Craig Hickman, 1998-10-01 The definitive book on workplace accountability by the New York Times bestselling authors of How Did That Happen? Since it was originally published in 1994, The Oz Principle has sold nearly 600,000 copies and become the worldwide bible on accountability. Through its practical and invaluable advice, thousands of companies have learned just how vital personal and organizational accountability is for a company to achieve and maintain its best results. At the core of the authors' message is the idea that when people take personal ownership of their organization's goals and accept responsibility for their own performance, they become more invested and work at a higher level to ensure not only their own success, but everyone's. Now more than ever, The Oz Principle is vital to anyone charged with obtaining results. It is a must have, must read, and must apply classic business book. |
| accountability definition in management: Delegating Effectively Institute of Leadership & Management, 2007-06-07 With forty well-structured and easy to follow topics to choose from, each workbook has a wide range of case studies, questions, and activities to meet both the individual or organization's training needs. Whether studying for an ILM qualification or looking to enhance the skills of your employees, 'Super Series' provides essential solutions, frameworks and techniques to support management and leadership development. |
| accountability definition in management: The Accountable Leader Brian Dive, 2008 Management consultant Dive explores the relationship between leadership, accountability, and organizational structure. He argues that the majority of leadership-related problems arise not from ineffective individuals but from organizational structures that lack accountable jobs. |
| accountability definition in management: The Oxford Handbook Public Accountability M. A. P. Bovens, Robert E. Goodin, Thomas Schillemans, 2014-04 Drawing on the best scholars in the field from around the world, this handbook showcases conceptual and normative as well as the empirical approaches in public accountability studies. |
| accountability definition in management: A Is for Accountability Ginty Burns, 2005 A quick and easy reference on the concepts of accountability-based management. This book is a must-have for anyone involved in workplace supervision or management. |
| accountability definition in management: How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability Michael Timms, 2021-09-15 Leadership development consultant Michael Timms has discovered three powerful habits that not only make one a better leader, but also encourage those they lead to take greater accountability themselves. Using a compelling combination of teaching principles and illustrations backed by loads of scientific studies, Timms reveals three habits of personal accountability that are easy to implement and which can instantly begin transforming positional leaders into true leaders who inspire everyone to take more accountability for results. |
| accountability definition in management: Testing, Teaching, and Learning National Research Council, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Board on Testing and Assessment, Committee on Title I Testing and Assessment, 1999-10-06 State education departments and school districts face an important challenge in implementing a new law that requires disadvantaged students to be held to the same standards as other students. The new requirements come from provisions of the 1994 reauthorization of Title I, the largest federal effort in precollegiate education, which provides aid to level the field for disadvantaged students. Testing, Teaching, and Learning is written to help states and school districts comply with the new law, offering guidance for designing and implementing assessment and accountability systems. This book examines standards-based education reform and reviews the research on student assessment, focusing on the needs of disadvantaged students covered by Title I. With examples of states and districts that have track records in new systems, the committee develops a practical decision framework for education officials. The book explores how best to design assessment and accountability systems that support high levels of student learning and to work toward continuous improvement. Testing, Teaching, and Learning will be an important tool for all involved in educating disadvantaged studentsâ€state and local administrators and classroom teachers. |
| accountability definition in management: Levers Of Organization Design Robert Simons, 2005-07-25 The design of an organization--the accountability system that defines roles, rights, and responsibilities throughout the firm--has a direct impact on the performance of every employee. Yet, few leaders devote focused attention to how this design is chosen, implemented, and adjusted over time. Robert Simons argues that by viewing design as a powerful and proactive management lever--rather than an inevitable outcome of corporate evolution--leaders can maximize productivity across every level of the organization. Levers of Organization Design presents a new design theory based on four key yet often underrated categories: customer definition, critical performance variables, creative tension, and commitment to mission. Building from these core areas, Simons lays out a step-by-step process leaders can follow to create structures and accountability systems that positively influence how people do their work, where they focus their attention, and how their activities can be aligned to contribute to overall strategic goals. He also introduces four levers of organizational design--unit configuration, diagnostic control systems, interactive networks, and responsibility to others--that leaders can manipulate to improve overall organizational efficiency and effectiveness vastly. For anyone accountable for measuring and managing performance, this book shows how good design can become an organization's roadmap to success. Robert Simons is the Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration in the accounting & control area at Harvard Business School. |
| accountability definition in management: The Accountable Leader Brian Dive, 2008-07-03 The Accountable Leader is centred around three themes - leadership, accountability and organizational structure, and explores what it means for managers to be held to account at all levels in an organization. It will show that most leadership related problems arise from the ineffectiveness of organisational structures that lack accountable jobs. Complete with case study material and international examples, The Accountable Leader brings home the importance of accountability as the necessary and robust platform for the assessment of potential leaders and leadership development - and demonstrates how clear accountability enables managers to achieve much more within their roles. The Accountable Leader was prestigiously voted one of 'The Thirty Best Business Books of 2008' by Soundview Executive Book Summaries, USA. |
| accountability definition in management: Leading With Emotional Courage Peter Bregman, 2018-07-11 The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 18 Minutes unlocks the secrets of highly successful leaders and pinpoints the missing ingredient that makes all the difference You have the opportunity to lead: to show up with confidence, connected to others, and committed to a purpose in a way that inspires others to follow. Maybe it’s in your workplace, or in your relationships, or simply in your own life. But great leadership—leadership that aligns teams, inspires action, and achieves results—is hard. And what makes it hard isn’t theoretical, it’s practical. It’s not about knowing what to say or do. It’s about whether you’re willing to experience the discomfort, risk, and uncertainty of saying or doing it. In other words, the most critical challenge of leadership is emotional courage. If you are willing to feel everything, you can do anything. Leading with Emotional Courage, based on the author’s popular blogs for Harvard Business Review, provides practical, real-world advice for building your emotional courage muscle. Each short, easy to read chapter details a distinct step in this emotional “workout,” giving you grounded advice for handling the difficult situations without sacrificing professional ground. By building the courage to say the necessary but difficult things, you become a stronger leader and leave the “should’ves” behind. Theoretically, leadership is straightforward, but how many people actually lead? The gap between theory and practice is huge. Emotional courage is what bridges that gap. It’s what sets great leaders apart from the rest. It gets results. It cuts through the distractions, the noise, and the politics to solve problems and get things done. This book is packed with actionable steps you can take to start building these skills now. Have the courage to speak up when others remain silent Be stable and grounded in the face of uncertainty Respond productively to opposition without getting distracted Weather others’ anger without shutting down or getting defensive Leading with Emotional Courage coaches you to build your emotional courage, exercise it effectively, and create an environment in which people around you take accountability to get hard things done. |
| accountability definition in management: Handbook of Research on Modernization and Accountability in Public Sector Management Azevedo, Graça Maria do Carmo, da Silva Oliveira, Jonas, Marques, Rui Pedro Figueiredo, Ferreira, Augusta da Conceição Santos, 2018-03-02 The effects of recent economic and financial crises have reached an international scale. A number of different nations have experienced the fallout of these events, calling into question issues of accountability and reform in public management. The Handbook of Research on Modernization and Accountability in Public Sector Management is an essential scholarly publication that focuses on responsibility within public sector institutions and the importance of these institutions being ethical, transparent, and rigorous. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics, such as corporate social responsibility, e-government, and financial accountability, this publication is geared toward regulatory authorities, researchers, managers, and professionals working in the public domain. |
| accountability definition in management: The 4 Disciplines of Execution Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling, 2016-04-12 BUSINESS STRATEGY. The 4 Disciplines of Execution offers the what but also how effective execution is achieved. They share numerous examples of companies that have done just that, not once, but over and over again. This is a book that every leader should read! (Clayton Christensen, Professor, Harvard Business School, and author of The Innovator s Dilemma). Do you remember the last major initiative you watched die in your organization? Did it go down with a loud crash? Or was it slowly and quietly suffocated by other competing priorities? By the time it finally disappeared, it s likely no one even noticed. What happened? The whirlwind of urgent activity required to keep things running day-to-day devoured all the time and energy you needed to invest in executing your strategy for tomorrow. The 4 Disciplines of Execution can change all that forever. |
| accountability definition in management: Management by Results Edward C. Schleh, 1961 |
| accountability definition in management: Responsible Leadership Nicola M. Pless, Thomas Maak, 2012-11-27 These chapters on ‘Responsible Leadership’ represent the latest thinking on a topic of increasing relevance in a connected world. There are many challenges that still remain when it comes to establishing responsible leadership both in theory and practice. Whilst offering conceptualisations for the improvement of leadership is a first and perhaps easier response, what is more difficult is to facilitate the actual change to happen. These chapters will not only generate interest in the emerging domain of studies on responsible leadership, but also will pave the way for future research in this area in the years to come. Previously Published in the Journal of Business Ethics, Volume 98 Supplement 2, 2011 |
| accountability definition in management: The Self-restraining State Andreas Schedler, Larry Jay Diamond, Marc F. Plattner, 1999 This text states that democratic governments must be accountable to the electorate; but they must also be subject to restraint and oversight by other public agencies. The state must control itself. This text explores how new democracies can achieve this goal. |
| accountability definition in management: Ethics in Public Management H George Frederickson, Richard K Ghere, 2016-07-22 The groundbreaking Ethics in Public Administration set the agenda for a decade's worth of research in the theory and practice of ethics in the public sector. This long-awaited follow-up volume represents the state of the art in research on administrative ethics. It features all new contributions by many of the leading figures in the field, and addresses both the managerial and individual/moral dimensions of ethical behavior as well as new challenges to administrative ethics posed by globalization. A detailed introduction, opening passage, and conclusion lend context to each of the book's four main sections. Ethics in Public Management is must reading for any graduate level course in public sector ethics. |
| accountability definition in management: 'Accountability' R. G. Mulgan, 2000 |
| accountability definition in management: Healthcare Kaizen Mark Graban, 2018-06-08 Healthcare Kaizen focuses on the principles and methods of daily continuous improvement, or Kaizen, for healthcare professionals and organizations. Kaizen is a Japanese word that means change for the better, as popularized by Masaaki Imai in his 1986 book Kaizen: The Key to Japan‘s Competitive Success and through the books of Norman Bodek, both o |
| accountability definition in management: Managing Oneself Peter Ferdinand Drucker, 2008 Reprint of an article from the Harvard business review. Reprinted earlier in 1999 as Reprint 99204. |
| accountability definition in management: The Discipline of Teams Jon R. Katzenbach, Douglas K. Smith, 2009-01-08 In The Discipline of Teams, Jon Katzenbach and Douglas Smith explore the often counter-intuitive features that make up high-performing teams—such as selecting team members for skill, not compatibility—and explain how managers can set specific goals to foster team development. The result is improved productivity and teams that can be counted on to deliver more than just the sum of their parts. Since 1922, Harvard Business Review has been a leading source of breakthrough ideas in management practice. The Harvard Business Review Classics series now offers you the opportunity to make these seminal pieces a part of your permanent management library. Each highly readable volume contains a groundbreaking idea that continues to shape best practices and inspire countless managers around the world. |
| accountability definition in management: You Can Change Other People Peter Bregman, Howie Jacobson, 2021-09-22 Discover how to change the lives of the people around you In You Can Change Other People, the world’s #1 executive coach, Peter Bregman, and Howie Jacobson, Ph.D., share the Four Steps to help the people around you make positive change — even if they’ve been stuck for years. The authors rely on over 50 years of collective professional experience to show you exactly what to say to influence those around you for the better. Changing the way you talk will stop you from being perceived as a critic, and turn you into a welcomed and effective ally. You’ll learn how to: Disarm their defensiveness and increase their confidence to act Turn people’s biggest problems into even bigger opportunities Ensure accountability and follow through without making them dependent on you No one wants to be changed; but change and personal growth are critical to success, and more importantly, to a fulfilled life. You Can Change Other People is a must-read for those who want to improve their impact with co-workers, family members, and everyone in between. |
| accountability definition in management: I Am Accountable Sam Silverstein, 2019-11-19 What if you could transform your relationship with yourself, your family and friends, your colleagues and clients, and your larger community through the power of commitment? What if ten simple choices enabled you to enhance your leadership skills, improve your organizational culture, and make a local, national, or even global impact? In I Am Accountable, renowned speaker and consultant Sam Silverstein explains how accountability is the secret to filling your life with more meaning, more success, and more joy—and it all starts with your mindset. In order to create a truly meaningful life, we must first accept that the problem is never other people. “The real problem,” Sam Silverstein maintains, “is what we believe about other people.” Silverstein’s new book shows why everything we have been taught about accountability is wrong. Contrary to popular belief, accountability is not a way of doing. Accountability is a way of thinking. It is how we think about ourselves and others. And it is the highest form of leadership. The secret to creating accountable relationships, and elevating the personal benchmark that Silverstein calls The Accountability Index™, lies in making ten critical choices that support an accountable mindset. I Am Accountable offers a comprehensive plan to help you establish and leverage that mindset, deepen commitments, create lasting meaning in your life and relationships, transform the culture within your organization, and foster lasting positive change in the world. |
| accountability definition in management: Scaling Up Verne Harnish, 2014 In this guide, Harnish and his co-authors share practical tools and techniques to help entrepreneurs grow an industry -- dominating business without it killing them -- and actually have fun. Many growth company leaders reach a point where they actually dread adding another customer, employee, or location. It feels like they are just adding more weight to an ever-heavier anchor they are dragging through the sand. To make matters worse, the increased revenues have not turned into more profitability, so at some point they wonder if the journey is worth the effort. This book focuses on the four major decisions every company must get right: People, Strategy, Execution and Cash. The book includes a series of One-Page tools including the One-Page Strategic Plan and the Rockefeller Habits Execution Checklist, which more than 40,000 firms around the globe have used to scale their companies successfully. |
| accountability definition in management: The Oxford Handbook of Public Management Ewan Ferlie, Laurence E. Lynn, Christopher Pollitt, 2007 The public sector continues to play a strategic role across the world and in the last thirty years there have been major shifts in approaches to its management. This text identifies the trends in public management and the effects these have had, as well as providing a broad overview to each topic. |
| accountability definition in management: Culture Transformation Phil Geldart, 2014-12-12 e;A true culture transformation should outlast the management that initiated it.e; In his latest book, Phil Geldart, CEO of Eagle's Flight, discusses:How and where to startMeasuring the impactThe role of leadershipHow to change behaviorThe importance of convictionWho should do whatThe role of HRand substantially more...The book also includes an action planning workbook with the 30 most crucial questions to address in order to ensure success. |
| accountability definition in management: Key Concepts in Social Work Practice Aidan Worsley, Tim Mann, Angela Olsen, Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead, 2012-11-12 This book is a quick and accessible reference guide to the key concepts that social work students and professionals need to understand to be effective. The authors place practice at the centre of the text, and include a host of case examples to bring the concepts to life. Examining the essential topics of the social work curriculum, the concepts covered relate to practice, theory, policy and personal challenges. Further reading is included in each entry, so that the reader can explore what they have learned in more detail. This book will be an invaluable resource for social work students during their studies and on their practice placement. It will also be useful for qualified social workers, who want to continue their professional education. |
| accountability definition in management: Elgar Encyclopedia of Public Management Schedler, Kuno, 2022-08-16 This comprehensive Encyclopedia is an essential reference text for students, scholars and practitioners in public management. Offering a broad and inter-cultural perspective on public management as a field of practice and science, it covers all the most relevant and contemporary terms and concepts, comprising 78 entries written by nearly 100 leading international scholars. |
| accountability definition in management: Federal Managers' Accountability Act of 1981 United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Operations. Legislation and National Security Subcommittee, 1981 |
| accountability definition in management: Event Management Greg Damster, Dimitri Tassiopoulos, 2005 Dealing with event management in developing countries, specifically South Africa, this textbook confronts the specific challenges of creating well-run events in places where world-class catering and party supplies are not as readily available as in developed nations. Complete with advice about all aspects of managing an event, the second edition incorporates additional graphs, tables, and photographs, as well as new material about the legal aspects of event planning. |
| accountability definition in management: Making Accountability Work Marie-Louise Bemelmans-Videc, 2017-12-02 Like honesty and clean water, accountability is invariably seen as a good thing. Conversely, the absence of accountability is associated with most of the greatest abuses in human history. Accountability is thus closely linked with the exercise of power and the legitimacy of policies and those pursuing them. This book looks at the role of evaluation and of audit as key elements in democratic accountability processes. The contributors explore the apparent paradox of there being more accountability-related activities today than ever before, at the same time as much public debate laments what is seen as a lack of actual accountability. Such a situation raises a number of questions: Is there a need for different approaches to establishing accountability or can current arrangements be modified to make them more effective? Are present practices part of the problem and are they preventing a mature debate about performance improvement taking place? How can systems awash with performance information ensure that at least some of it makes sense to a wide range of potential users? How is it that greater accountability and transparency can so quickly have become associated with concerns about perverse incentives and be seen by some as a costly burden? The volume includes detailed case studies and synthesizes up-to-date research evidence drawn from very different governmental systems, ending with practical advice for those involved in the accountability processes. In doing so, it attempts to address both conceptual ambiguities about the notion of accountability and the practical uncertainties over its implications for democratic government. This book is aimed at serious people who think about trends in the use of evaluation and audit in seeking to hold governments accountable for their actions and performance. |
| accountability definition in management: Managing Public Money Great Britain. Treasury, 2007 Dated October 2007. The publication is effective from October 2007, when it replaces Government accounting. Annexes to this document may be viewed at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk |
| accountability definition in management: A Handbook for Managing Strategic Processes Michael W. Lodato Ph.D., 2014-02 In a very real sense, Michael Lodato has been working on this handbook for over 45 years - starting in 1968 when, as a new CEO of a small consulting company, he attended a seminar on strategic planning at UCLA. The resulting strategy helped run the company but also served as the first template for his strategic planning methodology. Over the years, as a result of working on real issues, faced by him as an executive and client corporations, the template expanded to add tactical planning and features to handle changes in the business environments that may be coming or have already occurred, to quickly assess the impact of such changes on success, and to adapt to the new realities by making changes to its strategies, tactics and processes in time avoid bad results In short, he added agility to the template that is the substance of this handbook. This is not a text book or a book on strategic management theory. It is a step-by-step, here's-how-to-do-it guide to achieving agile strategic management. All of this growth in the strategic management processes came, not as an academic activity. It is written for people who do, or aspire to do the work of strategic management. As you learn about the processes and read stories about how they have applied to a wide range of situations, think through how you might apply them to the situations, issues and opportunities you face. They are intended to help you unleash the talent that resides in your team and organization. The resulting methodology includes processes that guide all the work of strategic management at all levels: from strategic, through tactical, and down to individual action items in such a way that there is a strong interdependence among them. |
| accountability definition in management: The Innovation Paradox Richard Farson, Ralph Keyes, 2003-07-02 In The Innovation Paradox, Richard Farson and Ralph Keyes argue that failure has its upside, success its downside. Both are steps toward achievement, and the two extremes are not as distinct as we imagine. In today's business economy, it's not success or failure -- it's success and failure that lead to genuine innovation. History's great innovators, from Thomas Edison and Charles Kettering to Bill Gates and Jack Welch, saw failure as an important stepping-stone -- and with this groundbreaking book, you too can learn how to become more failure tolerant, more risk friendly, and therefore more innovative. Today's most prominent businesspeople agree that The Innovation Paradox has the formula for failure and success down to a science, Make no mistake: If you're looking to reinvent yourself, your ideas, or your business model, this book is your sure-fire way to start. |
| accountability definition in management: Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government United States Government Accountability Office, 2019-03-24 Policymakers and program managers are continually seeking ways to improve accountability in achieving an entity's mission. A key factor in improving accountability in achieving an entity's mission is to implement an effective internal control system. An effective internal control system helps an entity adapt to shifting environments, evolving demands, changing risks, and new priorities. As programs change and entities strive to improve operational processes and implement new technology, management continually evaluates its internal control system so that it is effective and updated when necessary. Section 3512 (c) and (d) of Title 31 of the United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA)) requires the Comptroller General to issue standards for internal control in the federal government. |
ACCOUNTABILITY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of ACCOUNTABILITY is the quality or state of being accountable; especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions. How to use …
7 Truths About Accountability That You Need to Know - Inc.com
Sep 14, 2017 · Here are seven truths about accountability, which will help you better understands and increase accountability levels in your organization. 1 – Accountability starts with you
Do You Understand What Accountability Really Means?
Oct 13, 2016 · Every leader I’ve ever met sees accountability as a foundational ingredient in a healthy and sustainable culture. The problem is, as is often the case with leadership and …
Accountability: Definition, Types, Benefits, and Example - Investopedia
Apr 10, 2025 · Accountability is the acknowledgment by a company, an individual, or another entity that they're responsible for their actions. What Is Accountability? Accountability refers to …
ACCOUNTABILITY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
ACCOUNTABILITY definition: 1. the fact of being responsible for what you do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it, or…. Learn more.
Accountability - Wikipedia
In leadership roles, [2] accountability is the acknowledgment of and assumption of responsibility for actions, products, decisions, and policies such as administration, governance, and …
Accountability | Definition & Examples | Britannica
accountability, principle according to which a person or institution is responsible for a set of duties and can be required to give an account of their fulfilment to an authority that is in a position to …
What is Accountability? (11 Key Points) - Simplicable
Feb 20, 2025 · Accountability is the obligation to take responsibility for things that are under your direction or control. Fulling this obligation requires admitting to failures, answering to …
What Is Accountability? Definition, Types & Examples
Jun 2, 2023 · Accountability is a term used to describe an individual’s responsibility for completing a task or assignment. It is also used in reference to a person’s ability to be held responsible for …
2024 Accountability Data - Weymouth (03360000) - Mass
Overall classification: All Massachusetts districts and schools with sufficient data are classified into one of two accountability categories: districts and schools requiring assistance or …
ACCOUNTABILITY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of ACCOUNTABILITY is the quality or state of being accountable; especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions. How to use …
7 Truths About Accountability That You Need to Know - Inc.com
Sep 14, 2017 · Here are seven truths about accountability, which will help you better understands and increase accountability levels in your organization. 1 – Accountability starts with you
Do You Understand What Accountability Really Means?
Oct 13, 2016 · Every leader I’ve ever met sees accountability as a foundational ingredient in a healthy and sustainable culture. The problem is, as is often the case with leadership and …
Accountability: Definition, Types, Benefits, and Example - Investopedia
Apr 10, 2025 · Accountability is the acknowledgment by a company, an individual, or another entity that they're responsible for their actions. What Is Accountability? Accountability refers to …
ACCOUNTABILITY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
ACCOUNTABILITY definition: 1. the fact of being responsible for what you do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it, or…. Learn more.
Accountability - Wikipedia
In leadership roles, [2] accountability is the acknowledgment of and assumption of responsibility for actions, products, decisions, and policies such as administration, governance, and …
Accountability | Definition & Examples | Britannica
accountability, principle according to which a person or institution is responsible for a set of duties and can be required to give an account of their fulfilment to an authority that is in a position to …
What is Accountability? (11 Key Points) - Simplicable
Feb 20, 2025 · Accountability is the obligation to take responsibility for things that are under your direction or control. Fulling this obligation requires admitting to failures, answering to …
What Is Accountability? Definition, Types & Examples
Jun 2, 2023 · Accountability is a term used to describe an individual’s responsibility for completing a task or assignment. It is also used in reference to a person’s ability to be held responsible for …
2024 Accountability Data - Weymouth (03360000) - Mass
Overall classification: All Massachusetts districts and schools with sufficient data are classified into one of two accountability categories: districts and schools requiring assistance or …
