Building a High Performing Team

Part II: Power of Leadership Accountability

Thanks for joining me! I am glad you are here. In part one of the Transformation Times hosted on LinkedIn, we explored Lessons from Google’s Project Aristotle, yet the real game-changer is what comes next. In Part Two, we will examine this concept to help you grasp how leadership follow-through fosters success.

The Critical Role of Leadership Accountability

While these five factors create a strong team foundation, key processes and cohesion will fall apart without leadership follow-through. Psychological safety does not mean a lack of accountability—it means holding people to high standards while ensuring they feel supported.

Here’s how leadership follow-through drives team success:

1. Leaders Set the Tone for Accountability
• If leadership is inconsistent in enforcing expectations, the team will be inconsistent in meeting them.
• Actionable Insight: Model accountability—show up on time, follow the same protocols, and be the first to acknowledge and correct mistakes.
2. Agreed-Upon Actions Must Be Monitored
• If expectations aren’t revisited, employees may assume they’re no longer a priority.
• Actionable Insight: Use accountability systems like checklists, task boards (Trello, Asana), or weekly reports to ensure follow-through.
3. Psychological Safety and Accountability Go Hand-in-Hand
• Creating a safe space for feedback doesn’t mean tolerating a lack of responsibility.
• Actionable Insight: Provide clear, constructive feedback. Encourage peer accountability where team members respectfully remind each other of commitments.
4. Regular Check-Ins Reinforce Commitment
• Without follow-ups, people naturally deprioritize tasks.
• Actionable Insight: Hold brief, structured team huddles to review progress, troubleshoot issues, and reinforce goals.
5. Balance Consequences with Recognition
• People respond to both positive reinforcement and structured consequences.
• Actionable Insight: Implement a recognition system (verbal praise, small rewards, shout-outs in meetings) and a structured correction process for lapses in accountability.

Bringing It All Together

A thriving team isn’t just about talent—it’s about fostering an environment where people work cohesively, stay engaged, and follow through on responsibilities. By applying the lessons from Project Aristotle and ensuring leadership follow-through and accountability, you create a culture where your team meets expectations and exceeds them.

Would you like a customized accountability framework tailored to your team’s needs? Let’s build one together.