I recently had a conversation with a friend about managing restaurants. The food industry is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. Even more so, managing people in this industry can be very difficult. But let's be real, managing people in general is never easy. Your work is never done. My friend and I discussed how hard it is to get a team to perform with excellence on a regular basis without being a hard ass. Is this even possible?

I grew up in an era that would answer this question with a resounding no. As a Hoosier, under the Bobby Knight regime, there was one way to get your team to do what you wanted them to do - yell a lot, yell louder, cuss a little, and maybe throw a chair or two. This was the old-school way. Being a strong leader was synonymous with being a little bit of a jerk.

I have since become a little more enlightened. I learned that accountability doesn’t need to have a negative approach.. As a leader, accountability means you are responsible for ensuring a task or a project is completed with excellence. And, guess what? You can do this without being harsh.

So, what are the characteristics of enlightened accountability?

First, it starts with optimism. No one gets up in the morning and decides today will be the day they suck. Enlightened leaders assume the best about their team.

Second, shared humanity is the focal point. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. How can you help them flourish? If you beat them down, there is no upside.

Third, encourage positive behavior. Instead of only pointing out failures or mistakes, provide positive affirmation and celebrate wins.

Fourth, ask questions instead of making demands. Questions demonstrate mutual respect, inviting conversations and insight; demands end discussions. Questions open us to infinite possibilities; demands limit possibility to finite solutions.

Fifth, play the long game. Champion growth. View every situation as an opportunity for development and training.

‍