Have you ever noticed the intensity difference when you play a game for fun compared to “playing for keeps”?

Our family and friends frequently play Ping-Pong in our game room. It’s a fun and easy game for all ages. When the players are just warming up, you notice their relaxed stance, the slow rhythmic sound of the ball hitting each paddle, and then the brief silence after a shot is missed.

Creating accountability is one of the most common challenges for leaders of organizations, teams, communities and families. Whether you lead many or you lead only yourself, accountability for results separates the best from the rest.

Ambiguity is the Achilles Heel of accountability. To boost accountability, you must be specific – even more specific than you think you need to be. 

When specificity goes up things like miscommunication, rework and frustration all go down.  Accountability is also a two-way street. We can’t expect our team to be accountable to us unless we are accountable to them. 

You must have specific expectations, specific coaching and specific language.  This post focuses on the first component of accountability - specific expectations.