GET ENOUGH AUTONOMY TO DELIVER ON YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY
How often have you accepted an important responsibility, only to realize that you were not really empowered to deliver what was needed? Taking accountability for something is the stuff of leadership, but only if you have an equal level of autonomy to get it done.
When you have more accountability than you have autonomy, you’re likely to become disenfranchised, disengaged and eventually become a victim. It’s not heroic to take on lost causes and it almost never ends well. At the very least, you end up frustrated and resentful; behaviors that are not consistent with effective leadership. You need to have autonomy and accountability balanced at all times, like a seesaw.
It’s your job to get what you need and it’s in everyone’s best interest that you get it. Without the right level of autonomy, you can’t really deliver.
INSPIRATION FROM OTHERS
“I wasn’t good with authority. I went to lots of schools because I didn’t like the fact that there was no autonomy.” – Nigella Lawson
“I’ve always tried to keep my integrity and keep my autonomy.” Annie Lennox
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON
- To get what you need, ask yourself, under what circumstances would you be thrilled and confident to embrace this new accountability?
- What’s at stake if you fail?
- If you fail, what impact will that have on your boss? Why do they need you to succeed?
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