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Remedies for the Epidemic of Accountability | Part Two: Setting the Stage for Success

Release Date: 10/03/2023

Unseen Barriers to Accountability Caused by Chaotic Leaders

Dismantling Dysfunction

These days it's increasingly common to hear leaders describe themselves as "a little ADHD," citing high energy and impulsive decisions as both a strength and a challenge in their professional lives. The same traits, often seen in some of the most successful organizational leaders, drive innovation and quick decision-making but can also lead to chaos, confusion, and increased insecurity among team members. In this episode, we’ll help listeners understand the complexities of chaotic leadership and its impact on accountability, exploring how the dynamic interplay between resilience,...

Unseen Barriers to Accountability Caused by Over-Nurturing Leaders

Dismantling Dysfunction

Have you ever noticed how some teams don't hit their targets, despite having leaders who seem really supportive and caring? Or maybe you've seen situations where everyone seems happy, but the actual work results just aren't there? If these situations sound familiar, you're not alone, and we've got just the topic for you in our newest podcast episode - Unseen Barriers to Accountability Caused by Over-Nurturing Leaders. In this episode, we're taking a close look at a trend where leaders, in their effort to avoid conflict and keep everyone (including themselves) comfortable, might actually be...

Hidden Blockers to Accountability Caused by Leaders Who Disappear

Dismantling Dysfunction

Imagine your team is on a tight deadline, but when you reach out to your leader for crucial feedback, they're nowhere to be found. Their office is empty, their Teams status says 'Do Not Disturb,' and there's no response to emails, DMs, or Messenger. This scenario is all too familiar for many, reflecting a leadership gap where guidance and support are needed the most. In today's episode, we talk about the challenges posed by leaders who disappear, leaving their teams to navigate obstacles without any direction. During the podcast, we explore the impact of leaders who disappear on...

Hidden Blockers to Accountability Caused by Leaders Who Bully

Dismantling Dysfunction

Picture this: you step into your workplace, a space where you spend most of your waking hours, only to face subtle threats, overt hostility, or being outright ignored by your leader. Instead of feeling supported, you have a leader who resorts to bullying behavior to either make themselves look good or to get things done. While some leaders believe behaviors like yelling and dressing you down for a minor mistake are a sign of strength, more often, it's about control and insecurity. So why does this happen, and why is it normal in many organizations? Usually, it's because of a lack of...

Hidden Blockers to Accountability: Shaming Employees into Poor Performance

Dismantling Dysfunction

Have you ever seen a spark of creativity extinguished by a single dismissive remark from a leader? If so, you're not alone. In this episode of Dismantling Dysfunction, we talk about the unconscious shaming done by leaders and peers and reveal how this pervasive issue chips away at team morale and damages a culture of accountability. Imagine the chilling effect when a team member's bright idea is met with a "That's been tried before. Didn't you do your homework?" The room falls silent, the employee's spirit deflates, and a wave of discomfort spreads through the team. Join us as we discuss...

Hidden Blockers to Accountability Caused by Narcissistic Leaders

Dismantling Dysfunction

In the latest episode of "Dismantling Dysfunction," we delve into the significant impact of narcissistic leadership on workplace accountability. We highlight the unique challenges posed by leaders who exhibit narcissistic traits such as a grandiose sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy towards others. The discussion underscores how these characteristics lead to a toxic work environment, where credit hoarding, denial of mistakes, and gaslighting are prevalent. A key focus of the episode is the detrimental effect these leadership styles have on...

Remedies for the Epidemic of Accountability | Part Six: Engaging for Growth

Dismantling Dysfunction

Leaders often miss crucial opportunities to engage meaningfully with their employees when reviewing performance, primarily due to a lack of knowledge or comfort in handling these sensitive discussions. Many leaders, uncertain about how to balance feedback with encouragement, may default to a more objective or critical approach. The discomfort leaders feel in navigating these conversations can lead to a transactional approach, where the review is treated as a checklist exercise rather than an opportunity for meaningful interaction. Reviewing performance is a pivotal moment where...

Remedies for the Epidemic of Accountability | Part Five: Reviewing for Growth

Dismantling Dysfunction

Ever heard a leader say they skipped reviewing their employee performance because they “don’t have time” or because "Mercury was in retrograde"? While we all chuckle at the latter, there's an underlying truth we can't ignore - leaders often dance around performance evaluations, and in this episode, we unpack why. It's hard to believe, but some leaders sidestep evaluating their team's performance, opting out of what they view as a judgmental process. No clear expectations, no celebration of successes, no pinpointed development areas - just a pat on the back and a vague “good...

Remedies for the Epidemic of Accountability | Part Four: Confronting for Realignment

Dismantling Dysfunction

Every leader has had to confront an employee's performance when a simple correction hasn't worked at some point in their career. It's part of the job. But when leaders mistake confrontation and consequences with punishment, they make the idea of a candid conversation even more daunting. Add to that the lack of training leaders receive to conduct an issue-resolution conversation about performance, and you get leaders going in the other direction – avoiding performance. Join us as we discuss how the lack of training leaders to confront performance leads to taking employee...

Remedies for the Epidemic of Accountability - Part Three: Ensuring Alignment with Expectations

Dismantling Dysfunction

In the bustling corridors of a rapidly growing tech firm, CEO David found himself grappling with a dilemma. His teams were vibrant and intelligent, but something was amiss. Projects were lagging, and the quality wasn't consistent. At team meetings, David provided clear instructions, trusting that would suffice. Yet, when milestones were missed, he hesitated to step in, fearing confrontation. Does this sound familiar? In this podcast episode, we explore the challenges faced by leaders like David. Why do so many of us, despite our best intentions, shy away from setting clear benchmarks and...

More Episodes

Did you know that a whopping 60-70% of employees feel that leaders are not clear with their expectations? That’s more than half of the workforce saying they feel lost in their roles. Concerning statistics for leaders, isn’t it?

Join us in this informative episode as we explore the reasons many leaders hesitate to clearly outline and guide performance, teams, and organizational processes. As we continue our series on the prevalent issue of Accountability Dysfunction, we aim to understand how our fears and fixed beliefs can prevent us from setting clear expectations.

We discuss how the belief that accountability is a one-time confrontation gets in the way of accountability. With this mindset, leaders are so busy avoiding uncomfortable confrontation that they abdicate their responsibility to give corrective feedback. It is also seen as something that people either have or they do not have. These beliefs result in leaders feeling too powerless to lead. We provide insight into the reality of accountability as an ongoing, proactive approach essential to every phase of a task or project.

We will investigate how a combination of internal and external pressures, a fear of confrontation, and a desire to maintain good relationships can often deter us from fulfilling our leadership duties. That can be tough for any seasoned leader, let alone folks transitioning from being an individual contributor into a leadership position.

This episode promises to be highly relevant for leaders looking to understand and navigate the complexities of leadership and accountability in today’s organizational environment. Don’t miss your chance to become the leader your team deserves. Remember, true leadership begins with self-accountability.

If you want to know more about leading effectively, check out our book, “So, You Think You Can Lead?”: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07QMVKNSV/

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:19] Episode Introduction
[11:58] Fears Surrounding Accountability

[15:13] Lack of Leadership Training
[26:30] Episode Gem
[31:03] Episode Wrap Up

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Most leaders mistakenly perceive accountability as a confrontational, one-time corrective action rather than an ongoing responsibility. These leaders dread holding others accountable, fearing it will make them appear mean or unsupportive.

Setting clear expectations and directions might be seen as laying the groundwork for potential disagreements or disputes. The apprehension isn't just about appearing strict or autocratic; it's the emotional and psychological toll that confrontations can take.
Leadership is as much about interpersonal skills as it is about strategic oversight. Not every leader has been trained in dealing with resistance, effective communication, and non-defensive communication skills. Without adequate training, leaders might feel ill-equipped to effectively define expectations or guide their teams.
Whether you're a seasoned leader, a new manager, or just curious about what's been tearing organizations apart, join us in this thrilling Accountability series on the Dismantling Dysfunction Podcast, as we pull back the curtain on what's really going on. Remember, if you need help dealing with dysfunctions at work or in your personal life, reach out to us.

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