ACCOUNTABILITY

Personal accountability is the belief that you are fully responsible for your own actions and consequences. It’s a
choice, a mindset and an expression of integrity. Some individuals exhibit it more than others, but it can and
should be learned as it is not only the foundation for a successful life, but also a prerequisite for happiness.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

Accountability and responsibility can’t be lumped into the same bucket. Although these two terms have some
similarities, a few distinct characteristics separate them in the workplace.

Responsibility can be shared. You can work with a team of people to divide responsibilities. On the other hand,
accountability is something that can be specific to an individual depending on their skill set, role, or strengths.
Responsibility is task-oriented. Every person on a team may be responsible for a given task that is required to
complete a massive project. Accountability is what happens after a situation has occurred. It is how you respond
and take ownership over the results. Even during the most uncertain times, true leaders hold themselves
accountable for the results.

Responsibility focuses on defined roles, job descriptions, and processes that must be in place to achieve a goal.
On the contrary, accountability is committed to the successful completion of tasks assigned to you and being
willing to take responsibility for everything that happens as a result of the actions that were taken.

The main difference between responsibility and accountability is that responsibility can be shared while
accountability cannot. Being accountable not only means being responsible for something but also ultimately
being answerable for your actions. Also, accountability is something you hold a person to only after a task is
done or not done. Responsibility can be before and/or after a task.

THREE AREAS IN WHICH YOU CAN HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE:

1. Your actions and choices—This would include such things as:
 The way in which you communicate with others
 How you spend your time
 Your behavior and manners
 The consideration and respect you show others
 Your eating habits and exercising routine
 Your attitude and thoughts
 The way you respond to challenges

2. Your responsibilities—This would include these types of things:

 Returning calls, emails, and texts in a timely manner
 Being on time for personal appointments
 Keeping your home and workplace clean
 Spending less than you earn
 Doing the things you agreed to do when you agreed to do them
 Executing your tasks to the best of your ability
 Writing things down on a “To Do” list so you don’t forget

3. Your goals—This would include your:

 Financial goals
 Family objectives
 Career ambitions
 Personal goals
 Any other goals you have set for yourself
FOUR FACTORS TO CONSIDER THAT CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
1. Commitment
 Being committed means they are willing to do what it takes to get results, no matter what the challenge
or task at hand
2. Resilience
 Help yourself channel their inner tenacity and make an effort to bounce back quickly from setbacks.
Encourage yourself to push on no matter what and you will soon realize that you hold more power than
you think.
3. Ownership
 Having full ownership over our actions and results involves the ability to embrace the good, the bad and
the ugly
4. Continuous Learning
 Making mistakes is never fun, but accountable people don’t view them as failures. Rather, they view them
as teachable moments that will help make them better and more successful in the future.

We can see accountability in action when:

 People recognize and own up to their part of what is occurring
 If their message is hurtful to someone, they are willing to examine how their communication may have
been unhealthy or damaging
 They don't blame others when they're at fault
 They don't make excuses for why things are happening
 They don't pawn off all the responsibility (or all the failure) onto their teams or subordinates
 If they continually miss deadlines or essential project parameters, they don't pretend that it is all out of
their control
 If their relationships are faltering, they're open to seeing how they are contributing to (and even
exacerbating) the challenges and conflict
 In hard discussions, they can see and understand the other person's perspective even if they vehemently
disagree
 And finally, they recognize that what is happening in their world, their lives and careers is being actively
shaped by their beliefs and actions.

FOUR WAYS TO BECOME MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOURSELF, YOUR ACTIONS AND YOUR WORDS:

1. Stop in your tracks, and ask yourself, “How am I contributing to this problem?”
2. Look at where you feel most hurt in your life and get help to heal that.
3. The next time you do something wrong and apologize, make it a real apology.
4. Recognize how you’re being toxic to others.

 Accountability is not just a character trait or a behavioral pattern, it can also serve as a personal
standard. It’s easier to talk about being accountable, rather than to evaluate, determine it or
implement it. Practicing accountability means holding yourself and others accountable for actions,
decisions, and behavior.