All posts by Clay Burns

04-Managing a project team, feedback, team dynamics

7 Ways to Build Accountable Organizations

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I believe that my organization needs to change our system of accountability and feedback.  We all walk the halls and complain to each other about how things could be better and that so-and-so department doesn’t do their job properly, but no action is ever taken!  It’s almost as if pointing out someone’s flaw is looked down upon instead of seen as trying to build a weakness into a strength.  We do have annual reviews with our managers but I don’t think any real constructive criticism takes place because we all continue to work in the same manner that we have for the past seven years since I’ve been at this company.  Don’t get me wrong- I really enjoy my company and plan to make a career there, but I think we could definitely be better.

This article I found on Forbes.com expresses some views of how to create a culture of accountability. http://www.forbes.com/sites/ccl/2012/02/28/7-ways-to-build-accountable-organizations/2/

My wife is blessed to work in an organization where feedback is constantly provided on an employees performance.  It is amazing to see how efficient her co-workers behave and how well motivated they all seem to be.  Their feedback driven culture echoes the authors sentiments about continuous improvement and constant evaluation.  I need to figure out a way to get my wife’s company’s culture into my company.

I believe that I will soon be in a position to lead one of our three sales teams so I will definitely start with what I can control.  The more challenging task will be to take our model of accountability and spread it into the other departments.  In order for our company to succeed we all need to know that the other groups are performing as well as possible.  To me it all comes down to communicating clear expectations and not being shy to question a process, especially if things could be done better.

Is your company one of constant feedback?  Do you have any interesting methods of enforcing accountability besides compensation structure?  I am all ears . . .

03-Planning the work of a team, 04-Managing a project team

Making a change

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If I’m being honest – I PROSCRASTINATE!  Thus why I’m just now posting my first blog deliverable.  I’ve somewhat “successfully”  functioned this way for as long as I can remember, but I know that I can do better and I’m trying to rectify my situation.   I realize that my condition adds stress to all the people’s lives who count on me daily to accomplish their tasks and I want to change, but I haven’t – until maybe recently.

A combination of a few recent events in my life have hopefully helped me turn the corner for the better.  First, I need to apologize for my last thirty plus years of waiting till the last moment to start studying for tests (sorry Mom and professors), turning in work projects at the last moment just in time to meet deadlines (sorry boss), and even hitting the snooze button a few too many times each morning (sorry wife!).

A few months ago my wife and I found out that we are expecting our first child, a son, and it thrills us both!  Since then I have often thought about what kind of person he will become and what will he learn from me as he grows up.  I want him to be a polite, motivated, and caring individual who works hard, has great friends, and is able to experience all of the wonderful things our world has to offer.  I also don’t want him to pick up on any of my bad habits and so I am realizing I need to make a change, quickly because he is due in September.

During this time of reflection my sister forwarded me an email with a speech given as the commencement address to the University of Texas graduates by Naval Admiral William McRaven.  You may have already seen or read this speech, but in his address Adm. McRaven speaks about how changing the world is possible and ten lessons that he learned during his distinguished career in the military.  http://www.utexas.edu/news/2014/05/16/admiral-mcraven-commencement-speech/  His first lesson about accomplishing the simple task of making your bed each morning took me back to my days spent in the military.  I realized that waking up with a sense of purpose reminds me every morning to stay focused on my tasks and not to waste time on Facebook, playing solitare, or checking ESPN for random sports stories.  This initial task, at least for the last two weeks, has started my day off right and allowed me to positively tackle the oncoming challenges each day.

We also were assigned the reading “The Brand Called You” in BUS634P. The Brand Called You  This reading reminded me of the importance of how every action that I take impacts the impression that I leave with customers, colleagues, classmates, family, and espically my soon to be child.

I am working to change my current brand and stop proscrastinating for my son most importantly, but I also believe that if I am successful in doing so the benefits will improve my relationships both personally and professionally.  From a work perspective, I anticipate advancing in my career and leading a team of sales people.  My desired brand of punctuality, on time results, and dependability needs to be in place before I can effectively expect to manage others.  While I fail some days, I am striving to change my habits and am making progress.

I don’t know if you have experienced the same doubts or concerns, but if so how did you change your patterns, lessen your daily distractions, and become someone who accomplishes everything on their daily checklist?  Thanks for any help you can provide – from me and my soon to be son!