Article
Accountability: One Throat to Choke or One Hand to Shake?
March 18, 2019
“Accountability breeds response-ability.” — Stephen R. Covey, author Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
To help people to understand the point of accountability, I’ve often used this phrase:
One Throat to Choke or One Hand to Shake
I said it in short form, in a recent meeting — just One Throat to Choke — when we talked about what happens when we lack accountability, let the ball drop and then blame each other. One of the executives said he preferred ‘one hand to shake’ and the whole room started laughing.
As we discussed it, it was clear that that many people think of accountability as a consequence or a negative – as one throat to choke.
But in reality, there’s also a positive side to accountability: people know that they own something and then get a sense of satisfaction when it’s been achieved. One hand to shake.
Or, as someone said, one back to pat.
The most important thing is that, no matter what, accountability must be clear in an organization or on a project so that people know who the point person is. Ideally, we then get the opportunity to shake one hand – or many – because when one person truly has a sense of ownership the whole team gets a chance to win.
“Hold everybody accountable? Ridiculous!” — Edwards Deming, mathematical physicist who inspired the rise of Japan’s economic post-war recovery.
The Challenge
- Are you and your team clear about who is truly accountable for key KPIs, projects or processes?
Special thanks to John Shea, President, Power and Maintenance, Material Handling Services.
About Lawrence & Co.
Lawrence & Co. is a growth strategy and leadership advisory firm that helps mid-market companies achieve lasting, reliable growth. Our Growth Management System turns 30 years of experience into practical steps that drive clarity, alignment, and performance—so leaders can grow faster, with less friction, and greater confidence.
About Kevin Lawrence
Kevin Lawrence has spent three decades helping companies scale from tens of millions to hundreds of millions in revenue. He works side-by-side with CEOs and leadership teams across North America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Europe, bringing real-world insights from hands-on experience. Kevin is the author of Your Oxygen Mask First, a book of 17 habits to help high-performing leaders grow sustainably while protecting their mental health and resilience. He also contributed to Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0). Based in Vancouver, he leads Lawrence & Co, a boutique firm of growth advisors.