The Challenge

People in most businesses are officially held accountable for their results once a month, if that. As a result, focus, urgency, and execution are inconsistent most of the time. Because of this, poor performers fall into prolonged ruts, master the art of execution (MAX) acts become options rather than mandates, and accountability is scarcer than soap on a sow.

Conduct Daily Rhythm of Accountability Meetings

In my workshop titled “How to Master the Art of Execution (MAX),” I present a fourth strategy of execution that is key to accountability: Conduct daily rhythm of accountability meetings (RAMs). “RAM It!” for short.

RAMs are five-minute, stand up, roll call–style meetings, where each team member posts his or her MAX acts results from the previous day on a strategically placed team MAX board.

RAMs provide a forum for quickly recognizing those who performed well the day before and exposing those who did not. They are a cultural game changer, especially when one understands the dynamics of reporting to, and being held accountable by, an entire team (peer pressure) and not just the boss. Here are seven RAM guidelines and suggestions.

1. Conduct them early in the morning, or at the beginning of each shift, if applicable. When people arrive to work, their focus is often still in remission. A RAM hastens focus, brings closure to the prior day's MAX acts for each individual, acclaims what was positive, exposes what needs improvement, and strengthens resolve to execute well today so that individuals have a solid showing at the next day's RAM. In a sense, RAMs make sure people are mentally checked in, as well as present physically.
2. The RAM should last only a few minutes. Don't even sit down. Gather around the MAX board and report.
3. You do not have to prepare an agenda. This is a roll call. All it requires is that you call each team member to report and record his or her MAX act result. Applaud those who delivered, and ask for specific commitments from those who fell short.
4. Make them commit to you. Do not assign an objective for people who missed their objective; instead, ask what you can expect from them at tomorrow's meeting. Now they own the commitment and are accountable for it.
5. Go green and red. Those who achieved the objective will pick up a green marker to post, whereas those who missed will use red. Over the course of a month, the colors paint a more telling picture about execution success or failure than 100 speeches on the matter. When red begins to crowd the MAX board, team members will see for themselves where they need to focus; the red board provides feedback and creates urgency more effectively than another lecture from you on the matter.
6. Do not allow fray topics into the RAM. A RAM is for reporting results and making commitments, period. It is not the time to discuss housekeeping issues, customer service issues, weekend marketing campaigns, and the like. Do this after the RAM. The fray is already dominating your day; do not let it hijack your RAM as well.
7. The RAM should be held every day. Remember that every day means every day (EDMED)!

Benefits of RAMs abound. Consider these five:

• You and your team launch into the day with focus and accountability. The alternative is to begin the day in neutral, while your team stumbles around trying to find its way into a rhythm, which could take hours, assuming they find it at all.
• Poor performers are far less likely to have several bad days in a row. The power of peer pressure will motivate them not to let the team down multiple days in a row. The MAX board and RAM combination will naturally shape their focus and resolve.
• Accountability is accelerated exponentially within your culture. Rather than holding people accountable weekly or monthly, RAMs bring the daily accountability essential to execution excellence.
• Solid performers and performances are acclaimed quickly. Steady performers on a team are no longer taken for granted, but are reinforced quickly and publicly.
• Knowing they will post their results tomorrow creates greater focus for each team member today.

Parting Thought

Excuses abound for not holding a daily RAM, so keep the following thought in mind before you start belching out your lame loser's limps: If something is important to you, you will find a way—if it's not, you'll find an excuse. A RAM is no different. If focus, accountability, a stronger culture, and positive peer pressure are important to you, then you will find a way to RAM it every day. You really can do this. For some of you it will simply mean putting your coffee and donut down for 5 minutes in the morning, doing your job, and doing it daily. EDMED.

If you have defined your ultimate few objectives (TUFs) and MAX acts, if you have presented them to all team members in a personalized success profile (PSP), and if you have positioned your MAX board, then your next step is to schedule one RAM every day. What more is there to say except that EDMED? Get after it. See? It's not rocket science!