Your Business Tip to
Work Smarter not Harder

Accountability Matters

Stop Compensating for Poor Performers

Every business owner has that team member.

They started off strong—sharp, eager, seemingly a great fit. But somewhere along the way, the follow-through faded. Now they miss deadlines, delay responses, cut corners, and stretch your patience.

And yet... you keep them around.

Why? Because they’re nice. Because you’re hopeful. Because firing them feels extreme.

But here’s the truth: every time you pick up their slack, you’re choosing to carry the weight they should be owning.

And that’s a recipe for burnout and stagnation.

The Hidden Cost of “Okay” Employees

They’re not bad enough to fire, but not good enough to trust.

So you justify the extra effort. You follow up for them. You remind them of deadlines. You even smooth things over with clients when they miss the mark.

But while you're doing their job, who’s doing yours?

If you find yourself constantly “helping” certain team members complete their responsibilities, you’re not managing—you’re babysitting. And that’s costing you time, energy, and growth.

And it doesn't stop with one person. Tolerate one, and it spreads. Others see what’s allowed. Standards drop. Frustration rises. Accountability disappears.

The Shift: From Tolerating to Leading

If you want to build a team that drives the business forward—not drags it back—here’s where to start:

1. Reset Expectations

Use outcome-based job descriptions. Every role should have crystal-clear deliverables. If someone can’t articulate how their success is measured, they can’t be held accountable.

2. Recommit or Reassign

Have the conversation. Lay out what’s changed, what’s expected, and the timeline for improvement. Get a commitment—or agree it’s time to part ways.

3. Reintroduce Consequences

Accountability without consequences is just a suggestion. Make it clear what happens if performance doesn’t improve—and what benefits they earn if it does.

4. Track and Measure

Weekly check-ins. KPIs. Scorecards. What gets measured gets managed. It’s not micro-managing—it’s clarity.

The Real Leadership Test

Nice people aren’t always the right fit. And being “nice” as a leader doesn’t mean sacrificing performance.

You don’t grow a business by being the safety net for everyone’s dropped balls. You grow it by building a team that owns their role and delivers results.

Stop compensating for poor performance. Start expecting—and supporting—excellence.

Discover the Power of Coaching

This is the kind of leadership shift that changes everything.

👉Click the link to schedule your complimentary 2-week Business Breakthrough Coaching Experience.
Your business deserves it—and so do you.