 It’s
quite predictable actually…The economy slows,
cash flows are scrutinized, and the first budget
to get cut is the employee training budget.
I find it ironic actually… Organizations
proudly proclaim that its people are its greatest
assets, but when times get lean, its “greatest
assets” are the first to have its resources
pulled and budgets slashed. This is a short sighted
talent management strategy that inevitably puts
an organization “behind the pack”
when the economy turns back around.
I acknowledge that during an economic downturn
expenditures must be watched carefully. However,
this is precisely the time that organizations
should be spending MORE on training
and development to ensure that its talent is properly
positioned to capitalize on the turning economic
tide when things get better.
Given the fact that many organizations do decide
to cut their training budgets, I am often asked:
“What is the single most important training
and development program you recommend?”
Without hesitation my response is ALWAYS
- invest in employee personal accountability training.
My reasons for this quick response include:
1. Focusing on personal accountability develops
an important skill that will help team members
to identify the appropriate action to take, avoid
blaming others, eliminate victim thinking, and
stop procrastinating. The key theme of a personal
accountability training program is to take action
and improve the situation.
2. A culture lacking personal accountability is
made up of team members who waste valuable time
and effort avoiding responsibility, uttering excuses,
and “passing the buck.”
3. Organizations that lack personal accountability
drive top performing team members crazy and lead
them to seek employment in organizations where
accountability is a core cultural value.
4. A lack of personal accountability is a common
cause of low employee morale which leads to reduced
productivity, poor organizational performance,
and increased employee turnover.
5. There is a direct relationship between personal
accountability and organizational performance.
Quite simply – employees with a high degree
of personal accountability perform at a higher
level than those who lack personal accountability.
Organizational cultures that embrace and promote
personal accountability outperform those that
lack personal accountability
What can you do to improve personal accountability
in your firm?
1. Read the personal accountability “bible”
- QBQ! by John Miller - and buy
a copy for your team members.
2. Hold meetings and conversations about the importance
of personal accountability with your team members.
3. Lead by example by demonstrating personal accountability
in your actions and behaviors at work.
4. Implement a personal accountability training
program in your organization to introduce the
critical concepts of personal accountability to
your team.
If your training budget is tight and you have
to choose only one training activity or program
for this remainder of the year make personal accountability
a training priority and a core cultural value!
Now go maximize possibility!
1-866-988-RAIN
Copyright 2008
The Rainmaker Group, Inc.
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