Building Industry Magazine - March 2013 - (Page 53)

BestPractices ACCOUNTABILITY Means Action BY GARRETT J. SULLIVAN A GLOSSARY OF FAILURE TERMS TO AVOID re you a CEO who others view as “you say what you mean and • Soon mean what you say?” • As soon as possible Can you be counted on 100 percent to fulfill • Right away your promises, or do you sometimes slide? • Later If you are the owner or • Try CEO of a privately held construction company, • Best you are accountable to • By the next time we meet very few people. Most owners of construction companies believe this is a good thing, but that’s a serious mistake. sense. Many believe it’s squelching Very often, CEOs will tell me or even intimidating; however, the in the same breath that they enjoy opposite is true. When accountthe lack of accountability, but are ability is a major focus in a company, unhappy with the way their comresults happen on time and with panies are performing. Oftentimes, predictability. Employee performance I point out to them that their increases, job satisfaction improves employees are simply mirroring the and relationships are strengthened. lack of strict accountability they see It is a formula for success. from the top. This occurs across the It starts from the top; if you need operations and various departments. help in this area, find an accountTurning around this culture is not ability partner. This is a person who easy. The only place to start is with will tell you the truth and challenge you, the CEO. As Ghandi said, Be the you to remember your commitments. change you wish to see in the world. It should be someone within your Never underestimate how closely company with whom you have excelyour employees watch and mimic lent rapport. This person should be you. If you are unaccountable to proactive in asking you questions others, they notice. such as, “I know you are working on The dictionary defines accountthe XYZ project. Have you gotten ability as the state of being liable and back to Jim on the change order you answerable for one’s actions. It’s typical promised him?” for people—and especially leaders—to Encourage your team to speak think of accountability in a negative with clarity regarding expectations www.buildingindustryhawaii.com | 53 and completion dates. This means being specific about details and not asking others to “do a good job” or “get right on it.” Instead, be clear about what a “good job” entails. Below is the Glossary of Failure. Avoid these terms at all costs: • Soon • As soon as possible • Right away • Later • Try • Best • By the next time we meet Accountability is for fearless individuals who are not content with the status quo; it is for individuals who want to be true change agents. With accountability, you and your company will be more productive, reach higher levels of performance potential as well as achieve richer personal and professional relationships. True accountability begins with integrity with your language and actions. Accountability activates action. Why not make today the day that you begin to choose your words carefully? Why not speak intentionally in order to influence the kind of change you wish to see in your company and build a high performing culture of accountability? BI Garrett Sullivan is president of Sullivan & Associates, Inc., a management consultancy focused on the construction industry. Connect with him at GSullivan@SullivanHi.com, www.SullivanHi.com or 808.478.2564. http://www.SullivanHi.com http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - March 2013

‘HUNGRY’ SITEWORK CONTRACTORS
GENERATIONS OF DEVELOPERS
GUAM GOES GREEN
News Beat
Sause Bros. eyes Columbia launch
Maui teams up with prefab home builder
Sakamoto honored as Union Builder of the Year
Core Tech begins housing project
Diocese opts for solar system
NAVFAC picks leadership trainees
BIA show attracts record turnout
Fairall chosen 2012 CGP Professional
Kauai contractors name officers
CRW completes Honolulu Tower Roof
Spotlight On Success: Foodland Kapolei
Contracts Awarded / Low Bids
Concept To Completion: Maui Business Park
Q&A with rail chief Dan Grabauskas
Best Practices
HWEA In Photos
Tribute to Herb Muraoka
Newsmakers
New Products
Editor’s Corner

Building Industry Magazine - March 2013