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Q: How can I make my employees accountable?



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How to teach in 10 easy steps - By Brandon O'Dell

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Question:

When you work in an excuse-driven culture, how do you change the mindset and teach others to become accountable?

Answer:

Unfortunately, the most effective method for me to implement quick changes in attitude is through forcing it. That almost always requires "executing a hostage in front of the firing squad".

Words are the first step. Accountability has to be taught as an expectation. You tell employees that your business expects them to be accountable, which means doing everything THEY can do to fix a situation rather than concentrating on what someone else should have done to avoid it.

I teach that they only have control over themselves, and they will get the most accomplished by concentrating on what they DO have control of (themself) rather than what they DON'T have control of (others).

Once they know you expect them to be accountable, you have to hold them accountable. That means no exceptions to the rules, no favorite employees who get away with things, and unequal punishment. It also means having pre-determined punishment for violations to documented rules, and making sure employees are taught those rules and sign an agreement to follow them.

Once the rules and the punishments are in place. The only thing left is equal and fair enforcement. Even a tough boss will be seen as fair if everyone is playing by the same rules. The bad attitudes most often come when there isn't enough accountability, and people are allowed to break the rules. Then, employees who follow the rules are the ones who feel slighted, and they end up being the ones who leave. When rules are fair, and enforced consistently, the bad employees are the ones who leave.

Any time a situation gets bad, I've found it's often necessary to fire someone to get compliance from the rest. This is especially necessary when there has been an extended lack of rule enforcement.

When I observe an "excuse-driven" culture, it almost always means there is a lack of consistent enforcement of the rules.


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Home > Franchises > Brandon O'Dell > Q How can I make my employees accountable >

Free PDF Download
How to teach in 10 easy steps - By Brandon O'Dell

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About the Author: Brandon O'Dell

RSS for Brandon's articles - Visit Brandon's website
Brandon O'Dell is an independent food service consultant and owner of O'Dell Restaurant Consulting. O'Dell Restaurant Consulting offers general consulting services to restaurants, colleges, private clubs and most other food service types. Our focus is on helping business owners create operational systems within their businesses that help them become more profitable and earn more free time. Work to live, don't live to work. Areas of specialty include teaching owners to price by gross profit instead of budgeted food cost percentages, and helping them develop unique selling points and implement emotion based marketing tactics. Please visit our blog at http://blog.bodellconsulting.com for articles, Q&As, conversations and best practices. You can also learn more about our services through our website at http://www.bodellconsulting.com. Brandon O'Dell O'Dell Restaurant Consulting http://blog.bodellconsulting.com http://www.bodellconsulting.com brandon@bodellconsulting.com office: (888) 571-9068
Click here to visit Brandon's website.
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