What Does it Mean to be Held Accountable? (2024)

Accountability means being answerable for your actions and decisions. If you were made responsible for something or you yourself promised to achieve certain outcomes, you can be held accountable for them. Accountability isn’t necessarily a disciplinary measure but a virtue that ensures operational efficiency by keeping things on track. To my mind accountability simply means; doing the things you said you were going to do, and getting your team to do the same.

Many employees, leaders and even managers have asked me how they can make themselves more accountable. Here’s the advice that I give them:

If you’re working as a subordinate and there’s a boss you report to, you can always reach out to them and ask for detail-oriented feedback regarding your work. It won’t only help you understand your weaknesses and strengths but will turn you into a conscious and mindful professional.

By actively searching for feedback, you actually gain experience in a quick time. There are things you can simply learn by asking which might’ve taken months or even years to figure out by yourself.

You can’t hold yourself accountable unless you know what you are supposed to do and by when you are supposed to do it. That’s why it’s imperative that you create a comprehensive plan and break it down into smaller objectives along with deadlines. This way you’ll be in a better position to keep a check on your own performance.

Moreover, prioritise your objectives according to their urgency and importance. Sometimes, you can end up wasting hours on something that wasn’t that important, to begin with. Accountability also means accountability of how you spend your time. Prioritisation of tasks will help you achieve that.

Accountability is critical to your success and most of us aren’t born with this virtue. But the great news is that accountability can be learned in a wide variety of ways. From seeking feedback on your work through different sources to creating a prioritised plan to finding an accountability partner, you have various ways to keep yourself honest and ensure you deliver on your promises.

A study* in the US was undertaken and found out that the probability of completing a goal is:

• 10% – If you have an actual idea or goal.
• 25% – If you consciously decide you will do it.
• 40% – If you decide when you will do it.
• 50% – If you plan how you will do it.
• 65% – If you commit to someone you will do it.
• 95% – If you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you’ve committed to.

After reading this, how likely are you to achieve your; goals, promises, obligations and commitments alone? Which raises the all-important question, are you willing to do it?