Remedies for the Epidemic of Accountability | Part One: Emotional Intelligence and Defining Expectations

Dismantling Dysfunction

Leaders today are burdened by increased expectations to achieve results without appearing to micromanage, define things too clearly (for fear of being labelled a control freak) and manage employee engagement. Some leaders seem to naturally possess the knack for seamlessly getting their team aligned with expectations, achieving exceptional results. But increasingly, leaders are struggling to know what to do to get employees to get their work done in a timely fashion. Despite telling employees exactly what to do and when to do it, leaders are dealing with their own frustration with inertia, quiet quitting, and overt opposition to their expectations.

If you are experiencing this with your team or in your organization and are curious to find out what to do about a lack of accountability, join us live. In this episode, we explore the pivotal role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in leadership and why a lack of it is contributing to the issue. Drawing from our collective experiences, we'll discuss how underlying emotions, especially fear, frequently manifest as the common refrain, "I’m too busy." Tuning in LIVE, we'll also emphasize the importance of defining clear expectations for our teams. (Spoiler alert - a key takeaway will be understanding that without clear expectations, even the best of efforts might fall short in promoting accountability.)

For all of us in leadership roles, seeking to understand the intricate balance between EI, performance accountability, and the art of setting clear expectations, this episode will offer clarity. We hope you'll join us in this exploration, aimed at enhancing our roles as leaders and building stronger, more accountable teams.

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/

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IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:16] Episode Introduction

• [05:24] Fear in Leadership

• [08:29] The importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

• [24:30] Defining Expectations

• [27:39] Episode Gem

• [35:13] Episode Wrap Up

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• While as a concept Accountability is a straightforward, objective process, the reality is that it’s laden with personal feelings, doubts, and, honestly, a whole lot of avoidance. Teams pick up on that energy, sensing when things are skewed, unclear, or just plain unfair. And when morale dips, the entire organization's productivity and cohesion suffer.

• Emotions are like the silent puppeteers behind the scenes, making us dance to their whims, often without us even realizing it. As leaders, there are moments when we know what needs to be done, but fear holds us back. Maybe it's fear of confrontation, fear of rejection, or even fear of admitting we might be wrong. But here's the issue: rarely do leaders admit to themselves that they are afraid.

• By really tackling those fears and separating emotions from the actual metrics, leaders have the power to turn things around. This makes Accountability not something to dread, but a powerful tool that drives growth in the organization.

• 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.