Part Two
Create Safety
What to Do During an Accountability Conversation

When you create enough safety, you can talk to almost anyone about almost anything. As those who are masters of accountability move from thinking to talking, here’s how they create safety:

They begin well. They know how to describe a performance gap in a way that makes it safe for others to talk about with them (Chapter 3, “Describe the Gap”).

They know how to help others prioritize competing demands, and they know how to discipline when necessary (Chapter 4, “Make It Motivating”).

They also know how to help others deal with ability barriers by jointly exploring solutions. They help others comply by making compliance easier. They understand the underlying principles of empowerment (Chapter 5, “Make It Easy”).

Finally, they also know how to deal with unexpected problems or emotions that may come up during an accountability conversation (Chapter 6, “Stay Focused and Flexible”).