“Accountability” had become a loaded word in one organization I worked with. Previously,

leadership accountability was avoided first, then weaponized after management’s emotions built

up to boiling point, before spewing all over the poor employees who never saw it coming.

With no communication or correction about their wrongdoing as it occurred, time and again,

employees were blindsided when a manager called them in and berated them for present and past

misdeeds. In a few cases, workers were released from employment without truly understanding

what the full magnitude of their mistakes were, because they were only told, “I think we both

know you’re not measuring up and it’s not working out. We’re going to have to let you go.”

Unfortunately, there were many negative consequences from this tactic.

• There was an air of mistrust in the culture between management and employees.

• I have no doubt that opportunities to transform many mediocre or even poor performers into highly productive employees were missed.

• Employee turnover rates were unnecessarily high, costing the company additional training dollars, lower efficiency, and reduced production numbers.

When we taught them how to use the P4 Power™ Accountability Framework, leaders learned

to follow due diligence, coach before correcting, clarify before disciplining, and support before

escalating. They also learned one of my favorite mantras, “Enact it early and often!” Hang

around me long enough, and you will hear me say that about many things: communication,

training, expressions of appreciation, and more, as well as accountability. In the case of

accountability, early and often prevents emotional build-up, which in turn, helps leaders keep a

calm, professional demeanor—good for their career—good for their health.

The result? Higher performance with less defensiveness. Energized and engaged employees

versus deflated and de-motivated workers.

Accountability is NOT a negative. Accountability is NOT a dirty word. Accountability is NOT

just disciplinary action. When done right, employee accountability can transform a challenging

situation into one that raises performance, reduces stress, and increases morale for the entire

team.

Many organizations explore P4 Personality™ alongside the P4 Power™ Accountability

Framework to strengthen leadership confidence. Licensing P4 Personality for Professionals™

creates consistency across coaching and accountability conversations. At P4 Power Coaching™

our mission is to help increase the income and strengthen the sustainability of American

businesses by focusing on the people, processes, and performance that prime profitability.