CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Purpose

1. To identify the degree to which the team has a culture that encourages accountability on the part of team members
2. To provide data for the development of an action plan designed to increase the degree of accountability on the team

Group Size

Designed for an intact team of up to 10 members. If the team is larger, sub-grups can be created to develop specific sections of the action plan

Time

If the survey is completed and scored in the same meeting, the total process may take up to two hours.

It would be more efficient and more effective to ask each team member to complete the survey prior to the meeting. The surveys can then be scored and a summary presented at the meeting. Using this option, the total time required is two hours.

eting.

Physical Setting

A round or rectangular table with comfortable chairs around the table. An LCD or overhead projector to present the data summary and a flip chart for capturing ideas will also be necessary..

Materials

A copy of the survey for each person

Process

1. Welcome the team and explain the purpose and format of the meeting.
2. Establish a set of norms for the session that emphasize behaviors such as openness to new ideas, no personal attacks, active listening and decision-making by consensus.
3. Present the data summary of the completed surveys. The summary should include both the frequency distribution and mean for each survey item. Ask if anything needs clarification. Do not discuss action plans or disagreements at this point, just items needing clarification.
4. Facilitate a discussion that focuses on accountability strengths (what the team does well now). Strengths are items that have means of 3.5 or higher (you may wish to set the bar higher). Record those items on a flip chart or computer screen.
5. Facilitate a discussion that focuses on accountability weaknesses (items with means of less than 3.5). If there are several items, use sub-groups asigneing one item to each team. As the team to:
   • Analyze the Issue. Why does it occur? What are the forces at work that foster this type of behavior?
   • Identify Possible Solutions. What are ways the team can change this aspect of the culture.
   • Select a Solution (s). Explain why this approach will work best.
   • Develop an Action Plan. List the specific steps, timetable and person (s) responsible.
6. Sub-teams present their plans. Facilitate a discussion leading to a consensus on each plan.
7. Conclude with an agreement on next steps and ways to check on progresssssss.

CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Diections: Please read each statement and indicate the extent to which the statement is true about this team according to the following scale:

1. Not at All.
2. To Some Extent
3. To a Moderate Extent
4. To a Great Extent
5. To a Very Great Extent

_____ 1. On this team, members are willing to be personally measured against the outcomes of the project.

_____ 2. Around here, you can trust your teammates to deliver on their commitments.

_____ 3. Members of this team provide honest assessments of the project or their aspect of the project.

_____ 4. On this team, you can expect members to report early warning signs that the project is in trouble.

_____ 5. Around here, members do not "sugarcoat" results (make them seem better than they really are) or minimze problems.

_____ 6. Members of this team are willing to openly face and accept the consequences of their decisions.

_____ 7. On this team, members will say (in so many words) the "buck stops here" (I accept responsibility).

_____ 8. Around here, members do not cover up or run from mistakes, errors or problems.

_____ 9. On this team, when things go wrong, members look to solve the problem rather than avoid, hide it or simply find fault.

_____ 10. Members of this team five an honest estimate of the time and resources required to complete a project.

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Reprinted from G. Parker, Team Depot: a Warehouse of Over 585 Tools to Reassess, Rejuvenate & Rehabilitate Your Team, Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, a Wiley Company, 2002. For more information, including a description of the book go to: Team Depot