Jayson Lowe explains that strong leaders hold team members accountable regardless of ability level, and that high-performing "A players" actually need the most coaching. He advises leaders to be honest (avoid platitudes), ask team members what accountability means to them, and to provide candid coaching that helps people continually grow rather than treating excellence as a final destination.
Good leader is going to hold you accountable regardless of whether you're an A player or not and the A players need the most coaching and so a good leader spots that and says listen I recognize that you're an A player but if you truly want to become the best version of you you recognize that that's never a destination that you're going to get to. You've got to continually strive to grow. I'm going to help you but I'm going to tell you what you need to hear. And for me as a leader accountability is a word that's thrown around loosely. People talk about it. It's a platitude. Don't blow smoke up people's asses on your team. Be real. Ask them what does accountability mean to you and if I'm showing up and holding you accountable and you're leaning into it you're going to grow. For me accountability is all about looking within and the best team players want the most coaching.
