Taking accountability for one's actions is something that can be hard for many people. As you begin your firefighter promotional exam prep, it's important to not only study your textbooks but also work on yourself because a leader needs more than just book smarts to be successful.
Accountability Explained
Accountability is defined as, “the quality or state of being accountable, especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.” Simply put, you take responsibility for your own actions, even if that comes with consequences.
Importance of Accountability
Increases Trust
Accountability can have many benefits and one of those is building trust, especially as a leader. Not only does accountability increase the trust that your superior officers have in you, it will also increase trust with those you supervise as you move up the ranks. This is because being accountable shows both vulnerability and responsibility. Holding yourself accountable shows vulnerability because, even though no one wants to say they made a mistake and messed up, you do it anyway. This shows others that you know being honest is more important than being perfect, because no one is perfect. People are much more likely to trust someone who makes a mistake, owns up to it, learns from it and grows over someone who tries to hide a mistake. It will also make it more likely for others to come to you when they make mistakes because you showed them it was okay and better to be honest, than to try to hide their own mistakes because they are afraid of you.
Improves Communication
In addition to trust building, accountability also can improve communication with those you work with. Being an accountable person means you are a person who is open to having a dialogue, even about the hard and uncomfortable stuff. An accountable leader creates an environment where people can ask for help because, as stated above, they are not working in an environment dominated by fear. If you yourself model accountability, then you also promote learning and growing over punishment and shaming. This means your subordinates will come to you for help, rather than try to do everything alone, which will ultimately lead to less mistakes. Promoting accountability by being accountable yourself creates an environment that fosters communication and an open dialogue.
Improves Teamwork
When you are accountable and have a team that is also, it creates a space where teamwork can grow and thrive. In an accountable environment people are more likely to seek help from others, and collaborate on work. This is just the kind of team that is needed in the fast paced world of fire service. When a team is built on trust and communication they have no problem holding each other accountable along with themselves which will improve collaboration as a team. They know accountability leads to learning and it is important to be the best they can be. They trust that their team members are safe people to seek help and advice from. When the team knows they will be accountable for their actions, good or bad, they will work even harder to get the job done and done right and they will work better as a team because they all feel they have some control.
Healthy Work Environment
Accountability done right can foster a healthy work environment, one where firefighters take pride in their work and aren’t walking on eggshells. Accountability usually results in negative consequences and is seen as a negative thing that leads to punishment. Promoting and modeling accountability in a way that allows firefighters to take pride in their work and learn from their mistakes, creates an environment where they want to be. It creates a space where firefighters are excited to go to work and do their jobs, which makes them want to do their best. Accountability in a positive way does mean they should take responsibility for their mistakes but also take pride in their good work. It doesn’t have to be a negative word.
Ways To Improve Accountability
Model Accountability
The best way to foster accountability is to model accountability. Show up to work on time, accomplish your tasks and meet your goals and commitments. Take pride in your work. Take responsibility for your actions both good and bad. Show that mistakes happen and that's okay so long as you take responsibility for them and learn from them. Even if you are a new firefighter you can start this now, you don’t have to wait until you are promoted to model accountability, it won’t go unnoticed.
Set Clear Expectations
As a leader, you must set clear expectations for your firefighters so they know what they are even accountable for. Make sure everyone knows their role and any consequences to not meeting their expectations.
Allow Feedback
To promote accountability it needs to be a two way street, you need to be open to feedback too, even from your subordinates. If you are not a ranking officer yet, you need to receive feedback in a place of learning and growth. Whether you set up an anonymous feedback system as you move up the ranks or allow your subordinates to simply come to you with feedback, you must receive it in a way that promotes communication instead of fear. People are generally afraid to go to a supervisor with constructive criticism because it may not be received well and they are afraid of the consequences. If you can foster an environment where you can receive feedback without backlash, you will also be setting up an environment of accountability for once you move up the ranks.
The Takeaway
Being an accountable leader is crucial to being a good leader. This is something you can begin to work on now as a young firefighter looking to promote or as an officer in the fire service looking to improve their leadership skills. No matter where you are in your fire service career, remember, accountability matters.