In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, it’s more important than ever for leaders to be accountable. In this newsletter, you’ll review what accountability is, why it’s important, and how to be accountable as a leader.
What Is Accountability?
Accountability is taking responsibility for one’s actions and results. It’s being honest and transparent with oneself and others. As a leader, it is taking ownership of the team’s or organization’s results and performance. At the end of the day, it means you are responsible — it is humbly and simply saying, “I own this,” and “I am responsible.”
Why Accountability Matters?
When you are accountable you shift your mindset from one of victimization and blaming (powerlessness) to one of ownership and responsibility (powerful). Ultimately, it is accountability that drives personal and professional growth by encouraging individuals to own their choices and make better choices going forward, regardless of their circumstances.


The Three Fundamental Actions of Accountability
Accountability starts at the individual level, with you. Here’s what you can do to be accountable:
- Accept responsibility and take ownership for your life. Adopt the phrase, “I am responsible,” and move forward from a place of ownership. Even when events outside of your control impact you, you are responsible for how you respond and how you adapt. Take ownership.
- Don’t make excuses or blame other people. Ever. Period. When you do, you relinquish your responsibility, ownership, and control over life. And, it’s a downward spiral. Excuses and blaming are easy, but you are a leader who chooses the higher road, the road of responsibility and accountability.
- Stay organized and effectively manage time. Learn to do what matters most, in work and in life. Develop a personal written vision. Set roles and goals. And, most importantly, pre-week plan to take ownership of your time, your priorities, your actions, and ultimately what you do.
Wrapping Up
These three actions are the bedrock to living an accountable life: Accept responsibility, don’t make excuses or blame others, and learn to do what matters most. You’ll be empowered, you’ll be a leader, and you’ll lead a life by design! That’s becoming your best!

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” — Benjamin Franklin
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