Problem

Individuals deflect responsibility and blame others when things go wrong, eroding accountability.

Workshop Title

"From Blame to Accountability: Building a Learning Culture"

Objectives

• Understand the negative impact of blame culture on team dynamics.
• Develop skills for constructive feedback and accountability.
• Create a safe space for learning from mistakes and fostering improvement.

Materials Needed

• Flipchart or whiteboard.
• Markers and sticky notes.
• Printed copies of the SBI Model (optional).

Process

1. Welcome and Icebreaker (10 minutes)

Activity: The Learning Moment
↳ Each participant shares a small mistake they made recently and what they learned from it.

2. Understanding Blame Culture (15 minutes)

Activity: Blame vs. Accountability Discussion
↳ Pose questions to the group:
    - What does a "blame culture" look like in a team?
    - How does it affect trust, performance, and morale?
    - What does "accountability" mean, and how is it different from blame?

3. Identifying Triggers and Patterns (15 minutes)

Activity: Root Cause Reflection
↳ In pairs, participants discuss:
    - A time they experienced or witnessed blame in the team.
    - What triggered the blame and how it was handled.
↳ Share patterns and insights with the group.

4. Practising Constructive Feedback (25 minutes)

Activity: The Feedback Framework
↳ Introduce the SBI Model (Situation, Behaviour, Impact):
    - Situation: Describe the specific context.
    - Behaviour: Focus on what was observed, not the person.
    - Impact: Explain how it affected the team or outcome.

↳ Role-play scenarios in pairs:
    - Scenario 1: A team member missed a deadline.
    - Scenario 2: Miscommunication led to a project error.
    - Or choose your own!

↳ Practice giving and receiving feedback using the framework.

5. Building a Culture of Learning and Accountability (20 minutes)

Activity: Team Accountability Guidelines
↳ In small groups, brainstorm ways to:
    - Encourage taking ownership of mistakes.
    - Celebrate efforts to improve, even when outcomes fall short.
    - Create a psychologically safe space for discussing challenges.

↳ Consolidate ideas into a "Team Accountability Charter."

6. Closing and Reflection (10 minutes)

Activity: One Shift I’ll Make
↳ Each participant shares one specific action they’ll take to contribute to a blame-free, accountable culture.

Facilitator Notes

• Welcome and Icebreaker (10 minutes): Keep it light and encourage humour to set a positive tone. The purpose is to normalise mistakes as part of growth and learning.
• Understanding Blame Culture (15 minutes): Capture key points on a flipchart. Highlight the shift from focusing on fault to focusing on solutions and learning.
• Identifying Triggers and Patterns (15 minutes): In a debrief highlight common triggers, such as unclear expectations or fear of consequences.
• Practising Constructive Feedback (25 minutes): In a debrief discuss how the framework prevents blame and fosters constructive conversations.
• Building a Culture of Learning and Accountability (20 minutes): Output is a shared document promoting learning and shared responsibility.
• Closing and Reflection (10 minutes): Reinforce the importance of leading by example.

Follow-up

Schedule a check-in after 3-4 weeks to review how the team is implementing the Accountability Charter and discuss any ongoing challenges.