Most organizations face the problem of disengagement in today’s very competitive business world. Most leaders find it difficult to motivate teams or create a sense of ownership where passion for work seems elusive. When jobs become just a transaction, then innovation and growth suffer. However, one leader has turned this challenge into an opportunity. Raymond Rodriguez-Torres is the president and Co-CEO of ALC Home Health, and chairman of the Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation. He has perfected the art of building accountability and ownership. As a bestselling author and TEDx speaker, Raymond shows how these principles enhance workplace performance while inspiring employees to thrive both personally and professionally.
Start With Purpose
For Raymond, the foundation of accountability lies in helping employees understand the “why” behind their work. “Folks have to be able to understand what it is that they’re passionate about and how their specific responsibility and role is making a positive impact in the world, in the community, and within the organization,” he explains. This can be illustrated through the example of a key kept by two men. The first man was told to guard it, and the second man was told that the key locked up the food supply for the whole village. In this case, obviously, the second man worked with much more energy and responsibility. The lesson is simple: people find meaning and are motivated when they see that their efforts add up to something bigger. An engaged, accountable culture at all levels is the result of the leader who ties the individual roles together with the bigger mission.
Light a Fire Within
Raymond believes that true motivation comes from within, not from external pressure. “I’ve always found that it’s far more successful to light a fire within someone than under someone,” he shares. This philosophy challenges leaders to inspire employees rather than compel them. Raymond encourages leaders to think about how employees describe their jobs outside the workplace. “When your employees go out on the weekends and someone asks them, “What do you do for a living?”, it’s in that moment—the twinkle in their eye, the passion in their voice—that you can see the connection they feel to their work.” Through such innate bonding, leaders can establish an atmosphere where employees feel a real sense of pride in their contributions. Such internal motivation not only facilitates engagement but also makes the employee an organizational advocate both inside and outside the workplace.
The Power of Accountability
Accountability and ownership are two things that go hand in hand, giving employees a structure for recognition and growth. According to Raymond, “Accountability is something every person, once they’ve had that ownership, can evaluate and celebrate their successes. Accountability is not just about pointing out mistakes but also the acknowledgment of progress, success, and celebration at the right time. It is through openness and feedback with their leaders that employees feel empowered to learn, grow, and succeed in their workplaces. Equipped and ready to deliver with pride, clear communication and defined expectations empower employees to do their best. Ownership and accountability cultures flourish only when they become a part of an organization’s DNA and extend beyond the workplace.
Employees who love what they do share that enthusiasm within their personal lives, thereby extending the ripple effect of positivity to create engagement. “Ensuring that you’re able to establish this within your organization will lead to exponential results for you as a leader and all throughout your organization,” Raymond explains. This transformation starts at the top, with leaders modeling the values they want to see in their teams. By prioritizing purpose, intrinsic motivation, and accountability, leaders can cultivate vibrant workplace cultures where employees feel inspired to make meaningful contributions.
Lessons for Leaders
The leadership philosophy of Raymond Rodriguez-Torres mirrors the strength in aligning purpose, accountability and motivation to lasting success. His approach entices leaders to develop settings that allow employees to relate deeply to their work by diverging from the traditional practices. Focusing on ownership and shared goals unlocks the full potential of teams, leading to passionate employees, resilient organizations, and enduring growth. Leadership, according to Raymond, is not about managing tasks but empowering people to find fulfillment and purpose in their roles.
To learn more about Raymond Rodriguez-Torres’ inspiring journey and transformative leadership principles, connect with him on LinkedIn. or watch his TEDx Talk
