How to Claim Your Leadership Power | Michael Timms | TED

How to Inspire Accountability in Others

The Challenge of Getting Kids Out the Door

• The speaker humorously relates the struggle parents face in getting their children ready on time, likening it to "herding kittens."

• A chaotic morning is described where each daughter is engaged in different activities instead of preparing to leave.

• The speaker's frustration grows as he realizes his daughters are not responding to his requests, leading him to reflect on accountability.

Reflecting on Personal Accountability

• The speaker acknowledges that he was blaming his daughters for being late without considering his own role in the situation.

• He identifies a lack of communication regarding time management and implements clocks and schedules to help his daughters understand when they need to be ready.

Three Habits of Personal Accountability

• The speaker introduces three habits that can enhance personal accountability:

• Habit one: Don't blame.

• Habit two: Look in the mirror.

• Habit three: Engineer the solution.

Understanding Blame and Its Effects

• Blaming others can lead to negative outcomes; it triggers a fight-or-flight response that impairs problem-solving abilities.

• Research by Dr. Amy Edmondson shows that teams with a culture of no blame report more errors because individuals feel safe admitting mistakes.

Shifting Perspective on Problems

• Instead of blaming others, individuals should look at how they may have contributed to issues, fostering a culture of accountability.

• A personal anecdote illustrates how recognizing one's part in a mistake can lead to better outcomes and learning opportunities.

Creating Safe Spaces for Accountability

• When leaders acknowledge their contributions to problems first, it encourages team members to do the same without fear of retribution.

Habit Three: Engineer the Solution

Understanding Systems Thinking

• Habit three emphasizes "engineering the solution" by recognizing that our instinct is to blame individuals for problems rather than examining systemic issues.

• The concept of "systems thinking" involves understanding how environmental factors and processes shape behavior, a perspective that gained traction post-World War II.

Case Study: US Air Force Cockpit Design

• Initially, the US Air Force attributed plane crashes to pilot error, concluding that they needed to select less error-prone pilots.

• Investigations revealed that the real issue was cockpit design; similar-looking controls led to confusion among pilots, not a lack of skill.

Implementing Solutions

• By redesigning cockpits for clarity and usability, the Air Force significantly reduced accidents. This illustrates how addressing environmental factors can lead to better outcomes.

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about improving their daughters' behavior by implementing schedules and clocks instead of assigning blame.

Shifting Perspectives on Accountability

• To foster accountability in others, one must first model it personally. Instead of asking "Whose fault is this?", ask "Where did the process break down?"