The word accountability seems to be more and more present nowadays. Maybe it was always spoken around me, but it fell on deaf ears. For a long time, accountability wasn’t part of my vocabulary, and I paid little attention to it. Now, whenever I hear the word, it’s like a school bell ringing — a signal to pay attention. After hearing it often and studying what it truly means, it has become part of me and part of my vocabulary. Today, I hold myself accountable for my work and my actions.
Accountability taught me to stop blaming others. It removes what I call the “but” factor: I could have finished this on time, but… That excuse helps no one — it just leaves the work incomplete. If something doesn’t go as planned, whether I’m leading or not, it’s on me to figure out why. Could I have done something differently? Could I have started an extra discussion? Sent a reminder email? Without accountability, I wouldn’t even ask these questions — I would simply blame others and expect them to figure it out. With accountability, I’ve learned that it’s the little things that push a project forward.
When I hold myself accountable, I become more focused and committed to achieving results because I don’t want to make excuses for falling short. Accountability also gives me a sense of ownership and responsibility for the outcome — whether I’m leading the project or simply contributing. Whatever my role, I aim to perform to the best of my ability. It has also made me realize that every part of a project is valuable and contributes to the overall success.
Accountability removes the stress of worrying about what others are doing because it shifts your focus to what you can control. You can only do so much, and as long as you give it your all, you’ve done your part.
I realized the impact I had on my team when I began taking accountability for my tasks. I noticed that they, in turn, became more accountable for theirs. My mindset shifted. My communication with team members became clearer and more thoughtful. Instead of simply stating what needed to be done, I explained how each task connected to our broader vision. I also noticed that accountability fostered honest and respectful communication within the team. Colleagues became more comfortable acknowledging when they fell short or needed support — because accountability was shared among us all.
Honest and respectful communication showed that team members cared about one another’s work and how it impacted their own. This led to a stronger sense of responsibility: no one wanted to let the others down, and people asked for help when they needed it.
It all started with me as a leader. I have to hold myself accountable for everything I do and lead by example. It’s not always easy — sometimes I still catch myself slipping into the blame game. But I’m grateful when my colleagues call me out with honest conversations. It can be hard to hear in the moment, but I always appreciate it afterward. Don’t blame others. Instead, ask yourself how you can improve the process next time. Be accountable.
Take care.