Accountability Is Different From Responsibility

Part one of a five part series on accountability for leaders.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Distinctions On Accountability

Having worked with leaders from all walks of life and industries one topic that often brings a mix of desire and fear is accountability. High achievers CRAVE someone holding them accountable and those who lack confidence or fear they won’t stand up to scrutiny want to avoid it at all costs.

The challenge is that our relationship to accountability is linked to a fear of failure, criticism, and the constant feeling that we’re never getting enough done. But accountability isn’t about feeling bad about yourself, it’s about having an honest and powerful relationship with your word. It’s about getting invaluable feedback about what is and isn’t working in your life.

But getting there isn’t easy for most people so here are five distinctions on accountability that can help you be true to your word, be honest about your level of commitment, and improve your integrity with others.

Part 1: Accountability Is Different From Responsibility

The purpose of being accountable is to account for the state of something. An accountant doesn’t make money for a business, it…