7 Paths to Managerial Leadership

Appendix A

Establishing Key AccountabilitiesBy Nancy R. Lee and Fred Mackenzie

Key accountabilities (KAs) are the most important assignments a manager gives to each direct report to achieve the unit’s goals. Clearly describing each employee’s KAs is the crucial step in linking corporate strategy to real-time work output. KAs are actions for which an employee is held accountable. When delegated properly, KAs offer a clear description of what achievements the individual is expected to accomplish within a specific timeframe.

Basic Principles

Assigning key accountabilities and discussing them with each direct report is not a once-a-year exercise. It is a continuing process through which ongoing progress can be gauged of employees’ effectiveness in ...