The 5-Minute Manager - How to create a self-conscious Team

This introduces the concept and practice of Mutual Accountability. It is a higher form of high-performance team behaviour.

Mutual Accountability

When teams apply this discipline, it is near impossible for any one team member to fail.

Mutual accountability is another foundation stone of a high-performance team. It means that team members accept that they are accountable 'to each other', which guarantees better performance and teamwork. The objective is for the team to think "team performance first" and "individual success second". As a result, individuals become focused on creating a memorable collective performance rather than thinking simply about personal achievements. All team members are expected to volunteer their time and effort to assist others for the sake of the common good. Accordingly, all team members need to take a constructive interest and participate in all team activities as and when required (Master Plan).

Mutual accountability reinforces everyone's role in sharing knowledge, ideas, experiences, and perspectives to make the team a better-performing unit. Mutual accountability brings about increased effectiveness in working together. Team members recognise that collective performance is dependent on the effective collaboration of themselves with other team members. Rather than working and thinking individually and trying to protect their own space, a team high in mutual accountability has team members who are regularly asking themselves and each other, "how can we better work together to get the most out of each other and the whole team?”

Mutual accountability means team members equally share in the teams’ outcomes when the collective responsibility of the team works towards generating collective results, achieving success, or suffering a failure. This is irrespective of whether a single team member was responsible for a success or a failure. Mutual accountability implies an implicit acknowledgement of the joint accountability of all team members towards achieving the Team Vision or some other initiative, such as a task or a project, in addition to their individual obligations in their specific roles. An important measure is how accountable team members are to each other, meaning that team members accept that everyone’s successes or failures fall on their shoulders.

Team Consciousness Exercise

Discuss these questions:

1.     Is "team performance first" and "individual success second" a true statement?

2.     In what areas are commitments given to each other?

3.     Should the team hold everyone accountable for their commitments?

4.     Will the team create a Master Plan?

5.     Do team members share concerns and risks.

6.     Does the team celebrate successes?

Discuss adopting these behaviours:

1.     We place the team’s needs before our own.

2.     We give commitments to each other, and we honour them.

3.     We use a Master Plan.

4.     We celebrate successes.