Skip to main content

Are You Accountable? Solid or Dotted Lines

08
Jan 2012

How accountable are you REALLY in large organisations? The scale and complexity of global organisations encourages them to fudge accountability and responsibility. Everyone is responsible; so no one is responsible.

Various systems are experimented with; matrix organisations with accountability in 3 different planes, upwards sideways and diagonally. If you don’t understand that, then you’re not alone. Then there are Councils with silos and horizontal accountability. Then there are co-heads, so both are responsible for leading a department and everyone has to be consulted and have endless corridor conversations.

You also have “Solid and Dotted-line” accountability. A fudge if ever I met one.

The result is hours and days of meetings, consultation, lobbying and endless politics and clashes of egos. Wasted time, effort and money that can’t be afforded in today’s austere times.

In the military in peace and on operations we had one commander and a clear chain of command with very specific accountability and responsibility. You couldn’t hide or fudge your resposibility. The buck stopped with you.

Business is not the military; I have worked in both. There does however need to be clearer accountability; in organisational structure, role descriptions and personal moral responsibility.

Go on take responsibility and sort out the fudges and shirkers.
Warm regards Jonathan

Other Articles

Snakes in Suits

June 10, 2011
Do you work with or for a business psychopath? How would you ever know? How can you manage them, or mitigate the risks they can cause you and your organisation? This excellent book by Paul Babiak a…
Facilitating Success: Top Tips for Executive Team Facilitators

Facilitating Success: Top Tips for Executive Team Facilitators

July 06, 2023
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, executive teams play a critical role in driving organizational success. As a facilitator of executive teams, your expertise in fostering effective co…
“Effective leadership requires more than just being in charge – it requires a focus on three core tasks” says CEO at Skipton Group, Stuart Haire

“Effective leadership requires more than just being in charge – it requires a focus on three core tasks” says CEO at Skipton Group, Stuart Haire

January 23, 2023
Every week, as part of my Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks podcast series, I speak with a different guest who offers their insightful wisdom about all things leadership. This series …