Accountability: Leveraging Your Team

YT team accountable

Have you ever thought about all the things you need to get done and felt a sense of dread, overwhelm, or resistance?

Recently, I discussed with a friend this universal experience of holding ourselves accountable for tasks. We often feel we “should” do this or “should” have completed that by now. If you’re in the work world, you likely have these thoughts too.

The question is how do you balance that value of accountability with the value of not constantly pushing yourself and driving yourself?

One way to maintain this balance is through teamwork. Teams can hold you accountable while making the process collaborative and enjoyable. If you need to process ideas externally, team members can provide valuable feedback and support.

Teams also offer a buffer when things aren’t going as planned. Whether it’s vendors not delivering on time or partners lacking support, a team can help mitigate disappointment. Additionally, teams can highlight when your expectations are unrealistic.

I bet many of you are high performers and you don’t just want to get one thing done, you want to get  50 things done, and oftentimes in that race to get all the 50 things done,  we end up having these expectations that are really not realistic for you, for your organization, or your team.

Next time you’re overwhelmed by accountability, consider collaborating with your team. Discuss your goals and responsibilities with them, allowing for support, reality checks, and improved thinking. This approach can enhance both your productivity and well-being.

Want more on how to stay organized?

Jo Ilfeld, PhD

An executive leadership coach, Jo helps C-suite leaders, executives, and high-potential managers develop the flexibility, skill, and frame of mind to meet the challenges of the next five, ten, twenty years…. and beyond. She works with individuals, teams and organizations on four core areas of leadership development. Check out Jo's bio page for more information.

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