Accountability Matters: Why This Core Value is Essential for Business Growth

(4 min read)

Be RAD

The Britannica Dictionary defines the slang word Rad as “very appealing, awesome, cool” and while Felins wholeheartedly stands behind this definition, we put our own spin on this 80’s genre term. To Felins, “Being Rad” means to be Reliable, Accountable and Dependable (which just so happens to also be very appealing / awesome / cool to work with). These words are often used interchangeably, but when you really look at the semantics of the definitions, it’s interesting to find that they build off each other and you often can’t have one without the other. As an employee, understanding and embracing these qualities opens the doors to trust and growth within a company. As a manager, it’s crucial to not only set the example of being RAD with your team, but encourage your employees to live by these standards even when work (or life in general) gets stressful.

RELIABLE

Our goal is for everyone at Felins to deliver high quality work with an emphasis on accuracy while also being trustworthy and respectful. The work product handed off should set everyone up for success by being something that can be relied upon for accuracy down to every detail. When a team member can be relied upon to complete their work correctly and on time, this creates a bond of trust among coworkers. A reliable employee can be counted on to follow through on promises and provides open communication.

Take my golf swing as an example. While my drive is not of the high quality spoken about above, I can Rely that it will go the same way every time – and that is a hard slice to the right. Delivered over and over, every drive, every time. And those who play a scramble with me can rely on me to handle any dog leg holes with confidence.

ACCOUNTABLE

We take pride in completing tasks on time, meeting expectations, and creating an environment where the whole team feels that everyone is doing their part to achieve shared goals. Perhaps the best way of promoting trust and honesty is being accountable. When we commit to a deadline, we believe we should hold ourselves accountable to that standard. If we make a mistake, like we all do, it’s important to own up to it and provide a solution and not to blame others for challenges. Taking responsibility for one’s performance and quality of work is essential for personal growth and also the team’s success.

So we’ve established I can rely on my drive to slice right, ALWAYS. Sometimes that means it ends up in a beautiful, yet frustratingly placed pond, or lost in the woods. As much as it may ruin my handicap, I know I must hold myself Accountable and take my penalty stroke, allowing my golf game to result in an accurate score.

DEPENDABLE

Being dependable is really the blend of accountability and reliability – a dependable person builds trust by holding themselves accountable and delivering reliable, accurate results on a consistent basis. Dependable employees can be trusted to handle tasks responsibly and effectively every time. Most importantly, when the inevitable challenge presents itself, a team can rely on a dependable employee to always follow through, at Felins we call this “making it a non-issue.”

When it comes to golf, there will always be new challenges, but by providing consistent results – sliced drive, accurate scoring, killer hybrid shots – those who golf with me can always Depend on me for an honest, fun, and RAD golf game.

Being RAD isn’t just about delivering quality work product, it’s a mindset that everyone at Felins has and that’s what makes us so special. It’s about doing the right thing when no one is looking, there is no “that’s not my job” attitude, we don’t clock out of caring for the business at 5pm. RAD employees have a continued commitment to making the company a better place to work for and partner with. I began my career in accounting because I loved the black and white aspect of it – the numbers were either right or wrong, balanced or unbalanced. I think that core desire to have things “accurate” is what makes being RAD so important to me. But the best part about growing my career at Felins has been finding the beauty in the grey, that middle area where things aren’t perfect and we have to figure out how to get them there. To Be RAD means striving for the “perfection” with your work, your team, the business and all the areas in between. And as you do so, being open, honest, and accountable about the obstacles and challenges as you navigate your way through the grey…but always in the most awesome and cool way.

Authored by Briana Helt, CPA 

This blog is part 2 of 6 in our blog series: “At the Core of Our Values” – In this six-part exploration, we delve into the heart of organizational excellence, offering insights and practical wisdom for those eager to elevate their businesses. Whether you're aiming to refine your company’s culture, boost employee morale, optimize processes, or cultivate a more resilient team, stay tuned as we share what’s worked for our company and our core compass. Follow us on our social media channels for upcoming chapters in this series!

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