Accountability

"Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with."

In a world of interdependency, solving complex and global challenges requires the ability to handle tensions and dilemmas. To perform complex problem-solving in the unknown future, we need to devise creative solutions that involve difficult decisions. Yet, strengthening our resilience for ambiguity and developing a sense of responsibility is the key to success. Being accountable is a powerful influence that enables critical thinking, self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-reflection.

TYou don’t have to be a superhero to be accountable, but all superheroes have an accountable self in them. To be the cream of the crop, accountability is surely a superpower to foster.

The glue that bonds commitment to results

Upholding a high level of responsibility per se is a critical quality but not equivalent to accountability. At times, we are so accustomed to using the term “Accountability” as a disciplinary measure when things went wrong and putting the blame on someone. However, it should not mean punishment but a willingness to accept responsibility for our own choices and actions.

Accountability and responsibility are equally important in many ways. We often lump them into the same bucket but understanding the differences between them is essential for bringing more awareness into our lives. While responsibility can be shared among people, accountability is individually owned. Responsibility dictates what actions we must do while accountability dictates how we must do it. Check out the below visual summary of the comparison between accountability and responsibility!

An ongoing, habitual self-commitment and self-empowerment

Although accountability starts from the within, we are often trained to be accountable for others who could be anyone, but ourselves. For example, we learn to live up to the expectations of our parents, then our teachers, and finally of our supervisors, clients, companies, and the world. However, not knowing what the task does for us and its meaning to us may hinder us in being accountable beings.

Accountability is not a way of doing, but thinking that we are liable to what we are committed to. It starts from ourselves and spreads out to inspire others to be accountable for what they do to reach a common goal and success.

Make accountability a habit: From responsibility to accountability

Being accountable sounds challenging, but it is important and worthwhile. Changing ourselves is powerful and we need to be the change we wish to see. Are you defensive when you are to take up the responsibilities? Or would you tend to pass the buck?

Accountability is not a trait that we are born with. To develop accountability and make personal changes, below are the six steps for you to learn how to be accountable.