Introduction

In the chaotic whirlwind of my life as a business owner, working mom, and wife of a police officer, I found myself justifying driving over the speed limit to keep up with my demanding schedule. Little did I know that a simple question from my daughter would expose the depth of my inner struggle with accountability. This blog post delves into my journey of self-reflection and transformation, shedding light on the significance of personal responsibility and the power of accountability in our lives. 

Revelation

As my daughter innocently asked me whether she should follow the speed limit on her driving test or mimic my driving habits, I faced a pivotal moment of truth. Should I prioritize my value of honesty and admit my law-breaking tendencies, or should I perpetuate the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality? Unable to answer her question honestly, I avoided the issue and tucked it away in my mind for a quarter of a century, continuing to drive over the speed limit.

A Change of Heart

During a significant organization-wide change initiative on accountability, my daughter’s question resurfaced in my mind. I realized the hypocrisy of expecting others to embrace accountability when I intentionally disregarded the rules I had agreed to follow. This realization led to an important decision: I needed to rectify my accountability gaps before preaching about it to others.

Symbolizing Accountability

To symbolize my commitment to change, I confronted the symbol of my lack of accountability—the radar detector on my dashboard. Over several weeks, I gradually weaned myself off its influence. I started by turning down the volume, then removed the batteries, stowed the device in my glove box, and finally disposed of it entirely. As I adjusted to driving within the speed limit, I discovered that the time spent behind the wheel became less stressful and more enjoyable. This transformative lesson ignited a deep passion for accountability, eventually inspiring me to pursue a doctoral dissertation.

A New Perspective on Accountability

My research uncovered the importance of adopting a person-centered approach to complement the traditional regulatory-centered accountability system. Person-Centered Accountability (PCA) emphasizes positive practices, leadership, and emotions to foster personal accountability. At the same time, Regulatory-Centered Accountability (RCA) relies on governance practices, surveillance, and rewards to hold individuals and organizations accountable. I realized these two approaches are interdependent and should be integrated holistically, considering individual needs, work environment, and organizational culture for meaningful accountability exchanges.

Transforming Accountability

Moving beyond the shortcomings of traditional accountability, I delved into practical recommendations for improving accountability in organizations, families, and within ourselves. I discovered that intentions and temporary efforts were needed more than relying solely on rules. Instead, implementing positive practices, beliefs, and ideas is the key to long-lasting change. Three main themes emerged from my research: creating a reset, nurturing leadership capacity, and investing in others.

1. Create a Reset: To effect change; we must shift from focusing on negativity to embracing positivity in our organizations, homes, and lives. Reconceiving accountability requires adopting positive emotional states and accountability meditations, implementing personal-level changes alongside a systems-level examination of processes, relationships, and culture. A shift towards a just philosophy, rather than blame, supports a positive approach to accountability.
2. Build Leadership Capacity for PCA: Successful leaders thrive in environments that foster psychological safety, socio-emotional connections, and relational networks. To cultivate leadership capacity for Person-Centered Accountability, organizations must support the development of self-efficacy, optimism, and resilience. A strength-focused approach, such as Appreciative Inquiry, can be employed to coach and help leaders increase their capacity. By empathizing with their struggles and increasing their ability to help others succeed, leaders can motivate through empowerment, diffusion of power, and shared accountability.
3. Invest in Others: Achieving a balance between Person-Centered Accountability and Regulatory-Centered Accountability involves countering the harmful effects of an overreliance on policies, punishment, and blame. Instead, invest in others through listening, understanding, respecting, and honoring their strengths and barriers. Meaningful investments in individual potential and interpersonal relationships through team outings, meetings, and one-on-one conversations, contribute to lasting success and extend beyond the confines of the work environment.

Understanding Accountability Shortfalls

In our modern-day understanding of accountability, it is common to point fingers at others, public figures, departments, or vendors, rather than looking within ourselves. We often deflect personal responsibility, hindering our ability to help others overcome their struggles. We must recognize our shortcomings and actively engage in the improvement process to cultivate a culture of accountability. By shifting our language and perspective from “they need to do this differently” to “we need to do this differently,” we can create a space for growth and change.

Conclusion

Imagine the profound impact of collectively embracing personal and Person-Centered Accountability. By starting accountability conversations with “I need to do this” or “It is up to me to make a change,” we open ourselves to increased learning, reduced stress, and healthier relationships. As we let go of self-protective barriers, we tap into our natural inclination towards kindness, compassion, and empathy for others. Accountability begins and ends with us, and by becoming accountable to ourselves, we empower others to do the same.

Epilogue

Reflecting on my story about driving over the speed limit with my daughter, I was surprised by her response. While I expected to impart my wisdom, she expressed her commitment to following the law while acknowledging her struggles with speed limits. Her words humbled me, reminding me that accountability requires humility and constant self-improvement.

By embracing personal accountability and Person-Centered Accountability, we can create a ripple effect of positive change. Let us commit to being accountable role models for ourselves and others. As we take a deep breath and embrace compassion and courage, we unleash the power of accountability in our lives and help those around us succeed. Accountability begins with you—so are you ready to embrace it?

Debbie Stock, Ed.D., is a human potentialist and thought leader for accountability.

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash