When a person or organization learns how to act, at all times on the basis of accountability, what should we expect to happen?
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Accountability-a noun-the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable.
So, to create or enter into a ’state of being accountable’, by definiton means you and your organizaiton are liable or anwerable for agreed upon results or outcomes.
A cousin of accountability is responsibility.
Responsibility-a noun
1.the state or fact of being responsible.
2. an instance of being responsible: The responsibility for this mess is yours!
3. a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority.
4. a person or thing for which one is responsible: A child is a responsibility to its parents.
5. reliability or dependability, esp. in meeting debts or payments.
‘Being responsible’ suggest that one is taking an active role in making things in your sphere of influence work as they should. ‘Being accountable’ means being willing to say exactly how what happened or will happen and what you, your business unit or organization can do about it.
When we are accountable, what can happen?
Self-validation and recognition
Basically, this means that you and your role in the organization are clearly understood, adds value and is valued. This validation provides a spotlight on actual accomplishments, in which the story of your acheivements are the ‘lead in the play.’
An increase in everyone’s power
Bringing clarity to your own work and postion and that of your organization and being accountable for this role and its outcomes brings real power. If everyone is clear, there will be no more suprises, doscoveries or hidden agendas that breed an atmosphere of helplessness and hiding what is really going on.
An increase in personal integrity
The culture of an organization, the degree to which individual responsibility is respected goes a long way to discourage or encourage personal integrity. Personal integrity means not telling everyone else what you think is true, but first facing the music or telling yourself the truth first. If the individuals in your organization do this, you will find that the tough issues your organization must face will be much easier. You will have countless allies and the challenges and real issues will be what you are focused on solving. This brings real value and profitability in the for profit arena and increasing effectiveness in the non-profit world.
When the habit of accountability is clearly encouraged and celebrated, and people develop the habits of staying accountable, the eneregy of mutual cooperation among the folks in your organization will be self-renewing.
Acknowledgements:
Ten Steps to a Learning Organization by Peter Kline and Bernard Saunde
