When the private life of any individual is weakened, the resultant public life is nothing but a theatrical performance.
It is only when we take time in assuming full accountability for our thoughts, feelings, actions, that the results can direct our lives towards optimum productivity.
Accountability is about being answerable to someone for one’s action. It is necessary to become accountable to others because by nature we are likely to fail morally, spiritually, relationally and financially. When we have accountability structures in place this can help us to keep the blind spots in check. In reality, there is little difference between Responsibility and Accountability.
The Purpose Of Accountability
Accountability is not comfortable since one has to pour out themselves before another, exposing their inner thoughts in the process. There is usually fear of abuse because of this level of vulnerability but the benefits of being accountable are more hence one has to just make sure that they choose the right people to be accountable to. The purpose of accountability is to enable an individual to develop a consistent lifestyle of integrity and optimal productivity. This becomes even more important for individuals in leadership positions.
It is very easy for individuals in positions of leadership to stray off course when they continually experience a “friendship deficit” and when they fail to intentionally cultivate relationships in which they must give an answer for their work, walk and words. In ethics and governance, accountability is answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and the expectation of account-giving. In leadership roles, accountability is the acknowledgement and assumption of responsibility for actions, products, decisions, and policies including the administration, governance, and implementation within the scope of the role or employment position and encompassing the obligation to report explain and be answerable for resulting consequences.
What Does It Mean To Be "Held Accountable?"
Unfortunately, most people view accountability as something that belittles them or happens when performance wanes, problems develop or results fail to materialize. According to Webster's dictionary, the word "accountable" is defined as "Subject to having to report, explain or justify; being answerable, responsible." However, in order for us to embrace accountability as a culture we need to define it in terms of personal choice and ownership. This implies that our motivation for accountability is a result of our own personal choice to rise above our circumstances and demonstrate the ownership necessary for achieving desired results.
When we embrace this definition our mindset and attitude becomes one of continually asking ourselves, "What else can I do to rise above my circumstances and achieve the results I desire?" This requires a level of ownership that includes making, keeping and answering for personal commitments.
When we consider the dangers of not being accountable, it becomes of paramount importance that we find the right and qualified people to speak to our lives. The process of finding a qualified person is very important since it determines success in the accountability process. We need to share with people who know how to keep our confidence and when to confront us about our unhealthy secrecy. We should seek people who model the traits to which we aspire.
In your pursuit to find the right accountability partner, you can ask yourself these questions:
1. Who do I highly respect?
2. Who would not be afraid to push me and keep me focused?
3. Who would I never think of disappointing?
4. Who is also interested in what I am involved in so that we can be accountability partners for each other?
5. Who knows me–and my tendency to procrastinate?
6. Who will follow through on this commitment to me?
7. Who has the time to help me?
As we prepare to embark on the journey of accountability the following guidelines can be very useful:
· Establish clear goals and appropriate measuring mechanism for expected results
· Seek and identify people who are available to you – mature and possess specific expertise in the area of needed growth. Set regular and specific times for meeting and agree on what, how, when of the way forward
· Articulate and predetermine the specific consequences by establishing, documenting and communicating the outcomes of success or failure
· Be faithful to goals set and willing to change
It’s been said that failure is often our best teacher. It’s not fun to make mistakes, but when you learn hard lessons, these experiences help you make better decisions down the road. That said, a major benefit of accountability is the opportunity to learn important lessons without going through the painful process of making your own mistakes.
Finding The Right Accountability Partners
One of the biggest ironies of life in relation to our personal development is that the best time to develop personal accountability is when we do not particularly need it. Unfortunately, when the need for accountability strikes, most people do not have any significant relationships on which to lean. The failure to invest consistently in deep friendships can cause our isolation to increase in times of trouble.When we consider the dangers of not being accountable, it becomes of paramount importance that we find the right and qualified people to speak to our lives. The process of finding a qualified person is very important since it determines success in the accountability process. We need to share with people who know how to keep our confidence and when to confront us about our unhealthy secrecy. We should seek people who model the traits to which we aspire.
In your pursuit to find the right accountability partner, you can ask yourself these questions:
1. Who do I highly respect?
2. Who would not be afraid to push me and keep me focused?
3. Who would I never think of disappointing?
4. Who is also interested in what I am involved in so that we can be accountability partners for each other?
5. Who knows me–and my tendency to procrastinate?
6. Who will follow through on this commitment to me?
7. Who has the time to help me?
As we prepare to embark on the journey of accountability the following guidelines can be very useful:
· Establish clear goals and appropriate measuring mechanism for expected results
· Seek and identify people who are available to you – mature and possess specific expertise in the area of needed growth. Set regular and specific times for meeting and agree on what, how, when of the way forward
· Articulate and predetermine the specific consequences by establishing, documenting and communicating the outcomes of success or failure
· Be faithful to goals set and willing to change
It’s been said that failure is often our best teacher. It’s not fun to make mistakes, but when you learn hard lessons, these experiences help you make better decisions down the road. That said, a major benefit of accountability is the opportunity to learn important lessons without going through the painful process of making your own mistakes.
Just talking to someone, whether it be a mentor, coach or peer, gives you opinions and real-life experiences to help you avoid pitfalls that would cost you time, money or a combination of both.
Cynthia Chirinda Hakutangwi: Cynthia Chirinda Hakutangwi is an Organisational and Personal Development Consultant, a Life Coach, Author, and Strategist. Her latest book, “The Connection Factor: Unlocking your Individual potential through your Connections,” provides some relational nuggets to individuals who seek to establish meaningful, relevant and fulfilling relationships that can unlock their potential. Looking at improving your career, personal effectiveness, communication skills, relationships, focus, faith and happiness? Wholeness Incorporated Coaching offers you strategies you can implement today to achieve your goals.
Website: www.cynthiac.net
E-mail: cynthia@wholenessinc.com.
LinkedIn: Cynthia Chirinda Hakutangwi.
Mobile: 263 717 013 206
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