How to encourage a culture of responsibility in your firm

Can’t remember the last time you weren’t stressed? Join the club – the world of accounting is notorious for stress, which can ripple outwards and dim the light of our job satisfaction. As a firm owner, it’s on you to create a healthy workplace that fosters a positive culture of responsibility.

We get that employees have a responsibility to manage their own stress levels, but there are ways you can influence this too – from how you communicate as a team, the tech and processes you use, to accountability and how mistakes are dealt with. Essentially, your company culture starts with you, which trickles down to management, and can then spread like wildfire amongst the wider team. Here are three ways to encourage a healthier dose of responsibility into your firm.

Stop blaming others

“I wouldn’t have missed that deadline if the software we use wasn’t so slow.”

“If that client didn’t send everything last-minute, I might’ve gotten the figures right.”

“You asked me to update the report last thing on a Friday evening, what did you expect?”

Blaming others is one of easiest ways to avoid responsibility. If you want to set a good example and make real change, you have to be the change you wish to see. So, when things go wrong, instead of pointing the finger at someone else, encourage your team to think about what they could have done differently, and how they can learn from it. This promotes self-awareness and a sense of ownership that can lead to healthier outcomes.

Find common ground

We understand that the CEO and HR department won’t always have the same goals, but it’s important that they find common ground. For example, the goal of a CEO might be to generate more revenue, whereas the HR employee’s goal might be to promote a healthier work-life balance amongst employees. Some team members might see these two goals as mutually exclusive, they might feel like the extra hours need to be put in if the company wants to increase revenue. However, they could align more than you think.

Think about it – if an employee has a better work-life balance, they can be naturally more productive. In fact, 28% of workers feel less productive due to a poor work-life balance. So, when you provide your team with a better work-life balance (e.g., by offering flexitime, remote working, etc.) they’ll end up producing better quality work. This then leads to better customer service, which feeds into your revenue goals.

Embrace more optimism

An optimistic outlook can be genuinely infectious. When you're feeling positive, your team is also likely to mirror that bright and bubbly positivity. Celebrate all victories along the way, no matter how big or small. Whether it’s a new client or finishing up the last tax return of busy season, positive reinforcement can go a long way.

Foster open communication

Encouraging more open communication within your team can help avoid misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page. Ensure that employees feel comfortable sharing feedback, whether it’s positive or negative, and control your reaction to these opinions. People need to feel like they can voice their opinions without fear of judgment, Showing that you value your team's input only strengthens that sense of responsibility.

Lead by example

As we said earlier, your behaviour sets the tone for the company culture. Communicate clearly and respectfully, and avoid shifting responsibility onto others. Your team is far more likely to follow in your footsteps when you take that first step and become the change you wish to see.

Creating a positive work culture is an ongoing process, so be patient and consistent, and you'll see positive results in no time. Here at Bright, we’re on a mission to make a happy and efficient working life a reality for accountants and businesses through reliable software and amazing support. Check out our amazing multi-award-winning product suite by booking a demo below.