Do You Really Want It?

Accountability is one of the most overused terms in professional and personal development.

You hear it all the time:

"We have to hold each other accountable"

"I want you to hold me accountable"

"He needs to be more accountable for his actions"

Here is the truth: Many people do NOT want accountability.

And as with many words & phrases, once it becomes overused/misused, what often happens is that it loses its power..... this is exactly what has happened with the word accountability.

In turn, what has transpired is that the phrase 'hold me accountable' actually means the following:

1. Please sign off on my stupidity

2. Please sign off on my laziness

3. Please agree to do whatever it is that I want to do

Sorry, but this is not accountability. This is a recipe for mediocrity, and mediocrity is contagious.

The following is a small sample size (not a complete list by any means) of what to look for when/if you want to be held accountable:

1. Accountability does not offer suggestions, it holds to standards.

2. Accountability requires that there are consequences for a lack of responsibility.

3. You do not choose when and where you are accountable; you either are accountable or you are not.

4. Accountability requires both RECOGNITION and RESPONSIBILITY.... The recognition of one party to the actions that were agreed to, and the responsibility of the other party to perform/abstain from the actions that were agreed to.

5. Accountability does not revolve around emotions, accountability revolves around integrity. 

   So in simple terms:

I need to be able to answer for everything that I do AND everything that I do must be retrievable and accessible when it is called for.... this is accountability.

Your Friend,

Josiah