17 Mentor Module 1: Accountability
Welcome to the Mentor Training modules. In this module, we will be discussing the act of creating accountability.
We will begin with the definition of accountability. It is a commonly used term in team settings but not many understand the universal definition of it. Accountability is the condition that you are held responsible to the task that is given to you. In group work, accountability is crucial as it creates an implicit understanding that group members can be tied to their tasks.
Accountability seems like an implicit topic, so why does it matter and why are we discussing it? Well, it can be the backbone to many aspects of team dynamics. It can improve team dynamics/performance as building a mutual understanding with your team that you are responsible and reliable can lead to an overall well-done project. Along the same lines, it helps your teammates trust you as an individual. If you can consistently contribute to the team by completing high quality work for tasks you are accountable for, the team will have an easier time trusting you and your capabilities. Finally, it allows for learning. By being held accountable for specific tasks, it is your responsibility to be able to complete it, even if that means learning a new topic or skill. Everyday that provides a chance to learn something new is a great day!
Now that we have navigated through what accountability is and why it matters, the next step is to discuss how we can increase accountability within groups. First of all, if you make a mistake as a mentor, whether it is a communication error or a feedback-based error, make sure you own up to it! Clear channels of communications between you and your group will ensure their efforts are directed towards completing accurate deliverables. Next, involve students in goal setting. By accounting for their schedules and responsibilities while setting goals, the group as a whole will be more successful as they can trust that individuals assigned to a specific goal have the resources to complete the task. Furthermore, by setting clear expectations, you will be removing any ambiguity that may arise from the task they are assigned. By providing clear instructions and resources and ensuring your group understands their task, they will be inclined to complete the task to a higher quality than if they did not understand it. Moving forward, providing beneficial feedback on deliverables or when the group needs help can increase accountability in the same way. If the group understands the direction of their project and the goals they must achieve, you as a mentor can gain trust that they will complete the work they are accountable for as they know what they are doing. Last, but definitely not least, it is really important to be able to continuously have communications with your groups to maintain the built accountability and that will be by running successful meetings.
As a mentor, you will be part of a lot of meetings. Being