In anticipation of the official start of cottage season here in Canada, we are dusting off and revisiting one of our early blog posts about a family disagreement over cottage clean-up that offers practical reminders for leadership teams about accountability, communication, and process discipline — all of which help support effective planning and a healthy, collaborative work environment.
Following tradition, my extended family met at our family cottage recently to celebrate Thanksgiving and close the cottage for the winter.
When we arrived, it became clear that the clean-up by the last visitors hadn’t been handled as thoroughly as expected. Everyone knows there are certain clean-up tasks to be completed with a reasonable level of quality before leaving. Yet as we looked around, something had been missed.
The kids are older now and often go to the cottage with friends, so perhaps some of those expectations slipped. We launched into a series of spirited conversations to determine what had gone wrong. After several rounds of (mostly good-natured) debate about whether they should have known better, we decided it was time to post a simple checklist on the wall. In truth, the discussion lasted much longer than needed to address what was, at its core, a straightforward issue.
The following week, while facilitating a strategic planning session, I couldn’t help but notice a familiar pattern.
Blame and Accountability
At the cottage, a lot of time was spent trying to figure out who had fallen short. It’s a common tendency in organizations too, where energy can go toward assigning fault instead of understanding what needs to change. When responsibility is left unclear, it’s easy for people to assume someone else will step in. That’s why clear accountability — paired with the confidence to own mistakes and learn from them — matters so much for moving forward.
Amy C. Edmondson described this well in Harvard Business Review: “a culture that makes it safe to admit and report on failure can — and in some organizational contexts must — coexist with high standards for performance.” Encouraging openness over blame creates room for continuous improvement and more constructive conversations.
Scale and Process Optimization
The checklist we posted at the cottage helped everyone know exactly what was expected. Documented, repeatable processes with a bit of training go a long way toward keeping things running smoothly. Clear guidelines help teams focus on their objectives rather than wasting time guessing or correcting preventable mistakes. This foundation supports consistent outcomes, smoother execution, and helps maintain momentum toward strategic priorities.
Respect, Communication, and Expectations
Our family conversation shifted from addressing the problem to debating who should have known better. That happens in team discussions as well. Respectful dialogue — with space for both debate and solutions — can prevent this kind of unproductive cycle.
Expectations need to be explicit, especially when teams change or grow. Assumptions can break down communication. A shared checklist at the cottage, or a simple agreement within a team, can help maintain clarity and reinforce a collaborative spirit. Leaders who encourage respectful discussion and align on clear standards build an environment where people are better equipped to move forward together.
Applying These Lessons
I shared this cottage story with colleagues at the beginning of our two-day planning session, using it to establish a few ground rules about accountability, clarity, and respect. While we may not have left the meeting space quite as tidy as the freshly opened cottage, these principles helped support open conversation, practical ideas, and better teamwork.
As you approach your own strategic planning, a bit of structure and shared understanding can go a long way — whether you’re getting a cottage ready for summer or mapping out your next business steps.
If you’re looking to strengthen alignment and keep your plans on track, visit our Strategic Planning page to learn more.
[FROM THE ARCHIVES: This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated with new content.]