Determining your Shared Accountability Guest List
In this season of gatherings, we’re thinking about guest lists, invitations, and tables. This kind of thoughtful planning not only makes for a great celebration but also serves as a vital foundation for building effective teams. Imagine we’re hosting a potluck – united by a common goal of great food and company, each person contributing a unique dish. At SWIM, we call this kind of collaborative effort Shared Accountability.
What is Shared Accountability?
Shared accountability is leveraging the strength of the collective so you can further your mission.
Who should be at the table?
The key to determining your guest list is knowing the shared goal, and remembering that the shared goal should be bigger than one person or department. Instead, it should be a goal that requires contributions from many people.
The general “Who”
People whose expertise and core work will accelerate the group towards the goal.
People who will be held accountable for the accomplishment of the goal.
People who are in a position to determine priorities and timelines should be at the table. If the decision makers for budgets are not in the room, they should be ready to join and greenlight requests from the group.
Determining who should attend
Consider the scope of the goal– invite the necessary partners but don’t overdo it.
-For internal teams there should be no fewer than 3 people but not more than 8.
-For networks, have at least one representative per stakeholder.
The facilitator for a Shared Accountability sprint does not need to be the person who has the most responsibility for the project. In reality, having the person who owns a large part of the work lead the meetings, can often create a dynamic that pushes all of the work back to that person.
The team and table do not need to be permanent. In fact, it’s usually helpful if you name a time box for the work of the shared accountability project. In a recent project, a smaller group engaged in a quick shared accountability sprint to lay the groundwork for a larger group and longer process.
As you head into this season of gatherings, think of your team as your guest list: a unique assembly where each person plays a vital role in driving success. Define your purpose, invite the right people, and approach the work with a shared commitment. With the right team at the table, your shared accountability efforts will foster a collaborative environment that can move your mission forward.
Ready to learn more about Shared Accountability? Schedule a call with us today!
Looking for more blogs? Check out this blog on cross influence.