Accountability comes up everywhere in food manufacturing and retail. Projects are overdue, the same actions keep appearing in meetings and, when everyone is busy, it’s easy for blame, excuses and “wait and hope” to creep in.
In this episode, I introduce the Accountability Ladder, a simple tool for recognising what accountability actually sounds like in ourselves and the people around us.
Below the line, you’ll hear phrases like “no one told me”, “it’s not my fault” or “maybe if I wait, this will sort itself out”. They’re all signs that responsibility is sitting somewhere else.
Things start to change when we move above the line. Instead of focusing on what somebody else should have done, we start asking what we can do next, what part of the problem we can own and what action we can take.
I share an example from my own career involving a product recall, where I had to work my way through those different stages myself. It’s a useful reminder that accountability isn’t about pretending everything is your fault. Even if only a small percentage of a situation is within your control, you can still decide what you’re going to do with it.
We also look at how you can use the ladder with other people without simply accusing them of being “below the line”. Asking questions such as “What can we do next?” can help move a conversation away from blame and towards action.
The next time you’re in a meeting, listen to the language being used. When the conversation starts shifting from “they should” and “someone needs to” towards “here’s what I’ll do”, that’s when things start moving.
Timestamps
00:00 – The impact of below-the-line thinking
01:00 – Why accountability slips and what blame sounds like
02:00 – Introducing the Accountability Ladder
04:00 – Common excuses and avoidance in food teams
07:30 – Moving above the line and taking ownership
10:30 – A product recall and my own experience of accountability
16:30 – Helping other people move up the ladder
19:20 – What to listen for in your next meeting
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