High-performing organizations drive accountability through a set of principles and practices that are simple to say and hard to do.
I call these principles The Seven Pillars of Accountability:
- Character
- Unity
- Learning
- Tracking
- Urgency
- Reputation
- Evolving
The acronym – C.U.L.T.U.R.E. – is deliberate and will help you remember the seven pillars in the bridge that you will cross in your journey from Point A to Point B.
According to legend, Roman engineers in charge of designing and directing bridge construction were expected to stand directly beneath the center of the arch as the capstone was placed in position.
Smart design, flawless execution, and trust were no longer abstract ideas. The ultimate test of responsibility occurred when the final stone holding the entire arch in place was inserted and the engineer’s life literally was at stake.
Accountability in the workplace is most noticeable at the end of projects, but we will learn—as the ancient Romans learned—that failure to pay attention to accountability along the way can be deadly.
Are you and your colleagues willing to stand under the weight of your decisions?