The Truth About Employee Accountability

One misconception about accountability is that it is a reactive action that happens after a significant event has taken place. Usually, something negative has occurred, so someone must take accountability. However, this is not really accountability; it is just taking ownership of the consequences. The truth is that accountability is the proactive action of taking ownership before a project or activity has occurred. When you agree to be responsible for the outcome of a project or situation before it happens, you are taking accountability. It is also important to note that responsibility is taking ownership of a task or duty, but accountability includes taking ownership of the outcome or results. The difference is that with responsibility, you focus on your own task and nothing else. However, with accountability, you focus on all the tasks to ensure the intended outcome.

Another misconception is that you can give someone accountability. The truth is someone has to be willing to take accountability for it to be effective. For example, I can give you a bottle of medicine, but it will not be effective unless you decide to take the medicine and consume it. In the same way, I can give you accountability, but it will not be productive if you do not accept and own it. Now, what you can do is hold someone accountable. The difference is that when you hold someone accountable, you take steps to help them embrace their accountability after they have already agreed to it. Holding someone accountable for something they have not agreed to will not work. That is why accountability is a proactive action and not a reactive action. If you want someone to be more accountable, you cannot force it on them. Instead, you must find ways to increase their comfort level with taking accountability.

The final misconception is that a team can only have one person accountable for the whole group. The truth is that teams work better when everyone is being accountable. That is what true teamwork looks like. Being a team player does not mean carrying your teammates and their workload on your shoulders. Instead, it simply means holding them and yourself accountable. You do this by reminding them of the commitment they have already made, letting them know how important their performance is to the group, and providing assistance or even motivation if needed. If everyone on the team holds themselves and others accountable, unity and productivity will increase. That is why accountability partners are so necessary and effective. They share your commitment to achieving a desired goal. The best teams promote accountability within the group because they know that being a good teammate means being comfortable with accountability.