Do you control people or hold them accountable?
A while ago, I was writing some notes on how to move away from top-down hierarchy without ending up in anarchy. When later reviewing the notes, I found the sentence “Low control - High Accountability”. Honestly, that sounds quite good, at least in my ears. However, as I read it this annoying thought came into my mind: What does that actually mean? What is the difference between control and accountability?
As I see it one challenge is that what to one is accountability, feels an awful lot like control to another!
I am sure there are many good definitions of both control and accountability and what the difference between the two is but let us not make it too complicated. May I suggest a simple little definition that certainly does not fully explore the theme but can be used as a pointer when considering whether we are controlling or holding accountable.
I would like to suggest that,
Control is when you have to ask for permission.
Accountability is when you are ready to give an explanation.
Of course, the whole concept of accountability rests on the premise of there is an agreed framework, it does not exist in a vacuum. Without a framework, there is no reason to be accountable to anyone, nor any understanding of what you should be accountable for. That, however, is a theme to be picked up when we at a later stage will look at how to navigate the space between hierarchy and anarchy. (until then you can read Doing The Salvation Army the Barnes & Noble Way as an introduction to the them)
For now, we can consider, to what degree our leadership style and framework primarily requires people to ask for permission or to be ready to give an explanation.