Understanding the power of single point accountability
The concept is simple — everything that happens in your company points directly back to your senior leaders. The buck stops there. When teams own this concept, everything falls into place. Welcome to the world of single point accountability.
It all starts with a clear identification of all major functions that encompass your business. Every business has at least three:
Most great organizations also have another function called an “integrator.” The integrator is responsible for running the business and orchestrating all the other major functions.
Your company may have more functions. For example, you may find it appropriate to split sales and marketing, or you may have more than one operations function. Sometimes organizations implement a fifth function called “visionary.” This person focuses on BIG picture, BIG ideas and future possibilities. They come from a “no limits” point of view. There’s a custom structure for every company, but it all start with the basics four.
Once you clarify all the roles for each function, you’ll be positioned for the power of single point accountability — the understanding that only one person is accountable for each function. If more than one person is accountable, then no one is accountable!
So, if there’s a major shortage of materials from one of your major suppliers, one person on your leadership team is responsible — most likely the person occupying the operations seat. Oh…and if there’s no toilet paper in your restrooms? Same thing — someone on your senior team is responsible.
Magnitude doesn’t matter. Everything points back to your leadership team. It’s that simple!
The buck stops at senior leadership. Embrace this concept to extinguish the finger pointing and the “not my job” mentality that holds so many organizations back.
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