The Power of Accountability

Accountability has been on my mind a lot lately. It’s something I’ve always embraced because, quite frankly, there’s a deep satisfaction in doing what you say you’re going to do. When others hold me accountable, it tells me they care about my commitments and trust me to follow through. But let’s not sugarcoat it—there are times when I don’t hit the mark, and being held accountable in those moments can sting. That feeling of shame or disappointment? Yeah, it can suck. But it also pushes me to do better next time and avoid those missteps.

Accountability is defined by Webster’s as "the obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one's actions." This resonates with me, especially in the business world. As a leader, holding your team accountable is non-negotiable. It’s not just about getting things done; it’s about ensuring that the wheels keep turning smoothly for the entire organization. Talking about plans and assigning tasks is pointless if there’s no follow-through.

When it comes to personal accountability, the stakes are different. Do you really need someone else to check in on you if you’ve committed to something like daily workouts? Ideally, no—you should be able to hold yourself accountable. But let’s get real: when you share your goals with someone else and they check in on you, it somehow strengthens your resolve. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. If leveraging others helps you stay on track, go for it.

I had a friend who stopped setting goals because she didn’t trust herself to follow through. She didn’t even bother telling anyone if she did set a goal because she was convinced she’d never achieve it. I get it. There were goals I set—like waking up at 5 a.m. every day—because I bought into the idea that all successful people do it. But I never stuck with it. Why? Because I didn’t want to, and deep down, I knew it wasn’t the secret to success for me. I wasn’t listening to my own voice. I’ve learned that when you commit to something, it has to be for the right reasons.

And to my friend who’s avoiding accountability altogether, I say: So what if it’s been that way in the past? It doesn’t have to stay that way. Start small, and don’t let your past define your future.

In business, accountability can create tension. Why? Because not everyone wants to be held accountable. The stakes feel higher—there’s that fear of losing your job or facing other consequences. Business accountability often comes from a boss or superior, which can feel like getting called to the principal’s office. It’s uncomfortable, but necessary.

In my experience, people fail to meet their commitments for a few key reasons:

• They didn’t capture the task, so it never got scheduled.
• They weren’t clear on what was expected and avoided seeking clarification.
• They ran out of time and, instead of owning up and resetting the deadline, hoped no one would notice.
• They tried, but didn’t meet the standard—at least they gave it a shot, but still missed the mark.

There are probably more reasons, but these are the ones I see most often. When people are honest about their struggles, it creates a path to resolution. The real problems start when people hide, make excuses, or dodge responsibility. Honesty opens up dialogue and leads to solutions. Of course, if someone consistently fails to be accountable, there’s likely a bigger issue at play.

So, how can you be more accountable in your business life? Here’s the no-BS guide:

1. Attitude is Everything: Tackle your responsibilities with passion and enthusiasm. If you can’t muster that, either fake it until you make it or get honest with yourself about whether you’re in the right role. Accountability should feel like a natural part of your work, not a burden.
2. Clarify Expectations: Make sure you fully understand what’s expected of you. If you’re unclear, ask. After every meeting, recap your action items to ensure you’ve captured everything. Be proactive, not reactive.
3. Plan and Prioritize: Create a plan to meet your deadlines. This could mean blocking time on your calendar or setting tasks in a project management system. If you need more time, request it, but always have a plan in place.
4. Communicate Early and Often: Keep your team in the loop about your progress. If you hit obstacles, speak up and ask for support. Bring solutions to the table if you can, but don’t isolate yourself. Sometimes, a quick conversation can clear up what seems like a huge roadblock.
5. Adapt to Changes: When new priorities pop up and throw off your plans, you’ve got options: push through and get it done, ask for help, delegate parts of the task, or renegotiate the deadline before it hits. Stay flexible and keep your team informed.
6. Be Responsible: Accountability is about owning your actions. If something goes wrong, don’t shift the blame—take responsibility and work toward a solution. Whether it’s a missed deadline or a mistake, acknowledge it, learn from it, and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Responsibility builds credibility and fosters trust, showing that you’re reliable and committed.

Accountability means showing up and doing what you said you’d do. In high-performing teams—and really, who wouldn’t want to be on one?—accountability is the cornerstone that strengthens relationships, eliminates surprises, and drives success.?

Embrace accountability. It’s not just about ticking boxes or meeting deadlines; it’s about creating a culture of trust and reliability that propels everyone forward.