Top Employers know that constructive feedback is a driving force that helps teams work through every challenge. To truly encourage success, you need workplace accountability across every channel! So how can you improve your approach to these tough conversations? Top Applicant has 3 proven ways for managers to empower their employees with improved accountability!
Find The Framework
When creating an action plan to hold employees accountable, Top Applicant recommends the OKR framework. This model helps teams identify high-level objectives and link them to key desired results through agreed upon actions. By keeping objectives clear and results measurable, teams have a common ground to hold one another accountable. Here’s an example of an effective OKR you can use in your organization.
| Objective: | Increased Customer Satisfaction |
| Key Result: | Faster Conflict Resolution |
| Higher Conversion Rates | |
| More Positive Reviews |
In this framework, each key result drives a metric that helps the entire team reach the common goal of increased customer satisfaction. Tracking data helps employers gain quantitative reasoning about employee performance. But overcoming obstacles is quite a bit trickier. We recommend the following strategies to keep your entire team moving in the right direction.
Focus on Empowerment
Recognizing and rewarding achievements reinforces positive behavior and motivates employees to continue striving for excellence. Managers that acknowledge progress, celebrate successes, and offer tangible rewards, like bonuses or promotions, demonstrate the direct value of workplace accountability within any organization.
This helps create a positive feedback loop and encourages employees to deliver consistent, high-quality work.
Get on the Same Level
To ensure both employers and employees can hold each other accountable effectively, it’s crucial to establish a shared understanding of expectations and responsibilities. Open and honest communication, regular feedback, and a focus on mutual respect and trust will help your team achieve goals.
Employers can demonstrate their commitment to accountability by setting clear expectations for performance, providing adequate resources and support, and recognizing employee achievements. Successful managers also foster a culture of transparency and open communication, where employees feel comfortable raising concerns and providing feedback.
Consider establishing a regular system for employees to share constructive criticism with leadership and management, so employees feel heard and protected from retaliation.
At the same time, employees can hold themselves accountable by taking ownership of their work, sticking to deadlines, and delivering consistent results. To show this commitment, successful employees actively seek feedback, are active in team discussions, and address challenges by taking initiative without having to be asked.
Set an Equitable Action Plan
As teams create action plans to meet their goals, inclusive collaboration helps managers and employees develop healthy workplace accountability. By involving employees in the problem-solving process, teams can brainstorm better solutions using everyone’s unique insights. This ensures that any company action plan addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals at every level.
When carrying any action plan out, managers should regularly check in with employees to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments, so any plan remains relevant and effective as circumstances change. Encouraging feedback and reflection as your team tackles each task continuously improves the plan and the overall process!
Empower Your Workplace
When every member of an organisation feels valued and empowered, healthy workplace accountability helps companies thrive. Whether you’re looking to level up your staff or your management skills, Top Applicant has the resources that help Top Employers reach new heights! Sign in and build your profile to experience the human way to hire.
