Last month, WBCS hosted Executive Insights, formerly known as Business Insights. Tony Bridwell, global speaker and Chief People Officer at Brinker International spoke to members about how he coaches and transforms companies by teaching them basic skills of communication and responsibility.
Mr. Bridwell’s primary focus was on the dynamics of accountability and how most people view it as a negative concept. When he asked what came to mind when one thought of the word, “accountability” many people shouted out things like: pressure, responsibility, blame and so on. Mr. Bridwell reassured the audience that taking ownership of one’s actions shows confidence in the individual and the company, while also setting the standard for the rest of the team. He explained some of the different ways that lack of accountability can affect a company, like negligent customer service and lack of internal communication.
Mr. Bridwell compounded on his theory even more with a quick story. He recalled walking through an airport and slipping on a puddle of water. After picking himself up, he turned to an airport employee and asked if they would please clean up the spill. To his astonishment, the young man replied, “That’s not my job.” This example illustrates the importance of accountability and the ways in which it may hold us back as an employee or an organization. Mr. Bridwell summed up his idea by emphasizing the significance of practicing and encouraging accountability in the workplace.
Overall, the audience was enthusiastic about the different elements of Mr. Bridwell’s speech. As the event came to a close, many of the members told our staff what a great time they had and how much they learned. It’s safe to say, that the new and improved Executive Insights was a grand success!