As an employee gains experience, they also develop their sense of accountability. The first two levels of accountability involve completing their work and following through on commitments. The next level is influencing others to create change. Without formal authority, this often means nudging and persuading people to take action.
The third level is about making things happen. At this stage, an employee takes ownership by creating project plans, setting completion dates, and executing on those timelines. Reaching this level requires both courage and knowledge—specifically, the confidence to set deadlines and accept accountability not only for their own work but also for the actions of others.
This third level is where many people struggle. They may fear being wrong or lack confidence in their ability to set realistic deadlines, manage uncertainty, and influence others. However, this is also the stage where employees truly begin to stand out in their careers.