How can you be autonomous and accountable in a team?

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first steps to be autonomous and accountable in a team is to set clear expectations with your manager, your teammates, and yourself. This means that you should understand your role, your responsibilities, your deadlines, and your deliverables. You should also align your goals with the team's vision and mission, and communicate any challenges or issues that might affect your work. By setting clear expectations, you can avoid confusion, ambiguity, and conflict, and focus on delivering quality results.

3 Seek feedback and support

Being autonomous and accountable in a team does not mean that you have to work in isolation or solve everything by yourself. It means that you should seek feedback and support from your manager, your teammates, and other relevant stakeholders. You should also be open to giving feedback and support to others, and share your knowledge and expertise. By seeking feedback and support, you can improve your skills, learn from your mistakes, and foster a culture of trust and collaboration in the team.

4 Communicate effectively

Communication is essential for being autonomous and accountable in a team. It means that you should keep your manager and your teammates informed of your status, achievements, and challenges. It also means that you should listen actively, ask questions, and clarify any doubts or misunderstandings. You should also adapt your communication style and channel to suit the situation and the audience, and use positive and respectful language. By communicating effectively, you can build rapport, avoid conflicts, and ensure alignment and coordination in the team.

5 Take initiative and ownership

Taking initiative and ownership is another important aspect of being autonomous and accountable in a team. It means that you should proactively look for opportunities to add value, solve problems, or improve processes. It also means that you should take responsibility for your actions, decisions, and outcomes, and acknowledge your successes and failures. You should also celebrate the achievements of your teammates, and recognize their contributions. By taking initiative and ownership, you can show your commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership in the team.

6 Learn and grow

Finally, being autonomous and accountable in a team means that you should always seek to learn and grow as a professional and as a person. This means that you should embrace new challenges, explore new ideas, and experiment with new methods. It also means that you should reflect on your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and set goals for your development. You should also seek mentors, coaches, or peers who can help you achieve your potential. By learning and growing, you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and confidence, and contribute more to the team.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?