The Accountability Guy®
Are you wondering if a person can be accountable and not responsible? This blog seeks to address that question. You’ll also know the difference between the two and the importance of accountability in the workplace.
To answer your question, yes, a person can be accountable and not responsible. For example, an intern might be responsible for a task; however, the intern’s manager will be held accountable in case any issues arise.
You might find it easier to understand the answer by diving into the differences between accountability and responsibility
Simply put, accountability is when a person is willing to take ownership for the actions, results, and more of their team members. Accountability means you are willing to accept the consequences of an action that you aren’t responsible for.
An accountable person is one who is answerable for a decision, activity, or task. They are the ones who bear the onus of a mistake committed by someone else in their team.
A project manager or leader is accountable as they have to justify, report, answer, or explain their decisions, tasks, delegation, or anything else. They may not have power or control over the task. However, they will be held accountable for it. They are expected to justify the final outcome and bear the brunt of any problems.
Responsibility is task-oriented. You are responsible for something that is in your power, control and you choose to do it willingly.
A responsible person is answerable for the results of their task. Responsibility is something you choose to do because you have the skillset, and your role determines it. It is the job description, defined roles, or task that helps achieve certain goals.
If you are given a responsibility, you are responsible for the task’s implementation, execution, and completion. Moreover, for huge tasks, you can share responsibility amongst your team members.
Note that you are responsible and accept rewards and consequences for that task. While you may not be answerable, you need to be responsible and not neglect your responsibilities.
It might be easier for you to understand that a person can be accountable and not responsible through this table
Accountability | Responsibility |
You may not have power or control over the task | You have power and control over the task |
You are answerable | You may not be answerable |
It’s a leadership quality | It’s a follower quality |
You take ownership of everything | You merely complete your duty |
This occurs only after the task is done or not | It occurs before or after the task |
Accountability cannot be shared | Responsibility can be shared |
Assigned and result oriented | It cannot be assigned and is task-oriented |
Accountability and responsibility are different. That’s why the accountable person may not be responsible. An accountable person may not have the power or control over the task. They merely take ownership of the results, whether negative or positive.
On the other hand, some people are too perfectionist to delegate. They don’t get that sense of ultimate satisfaction until they’ve done everything by themselves. Consequently, they get caught up in too much work, which again means delays, declining quality of work or worse, a total burnout.
You might further understand that an accountable person may not be responsible by understanding the importance of accountability in the workplace.
If you are assigned accountability in the workplace, it becomes easier for the company to succeed. Accountability in the workplace does the following:
Now you know the importance of accountability and the difference between accountability and responsibility. You might wonder how to foster responsibility and accountability in the workplace.
An accountable person need not be responsible. Responsibility is task-oriented, while accountability is result-oriented. An accountable person doesn’t have control and power over the task and merely bears ownership for the results.
If you are stuck on fostering accountability in your organization, consult an accountability coach like Tick Those Boxes. They will chat with you about your goals, understand where you stand, and help you achieve those goals. Plus, they will help you build a company that uses accountability for its success
So, be an accountable person even if you are not responsible and build a thriving work culture!
In the fields of leadership, personal development, and responsibility, Darren Finkelstein, popularly known as The Accountability Guy®, is a shining star. His story is one of perseverance, self-reinvention, and the deep metamorphosis he has attained by elevating responsibility to the status of superpower.
Darren has carved up a remarkable career for himself as a dynamic author and speaker, international accountability coach, advisor, mentor, and mentor that cuts across borders and industries. His influence extends beyond New Zealand and Australia to the many cultural contexts of Europe, Asia, Latin America, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Darren has emerged as a key figure in the lives of high-achieving individuals and teams thanks to his creative coaching courses, which help them reach their objectives and realize their full potential. Darren’s bestselling book “The Accountability Advantage – Play your best game,” which establishes the foundation for his lessons, is at the center of his methodology. As interest in his next book, ‘NO’-Building a life of choice without obligation,” which is due out later this year, grows, Darren never stops inspiring and encouraging people with his distinct perspectives on accountability.
Darren uses a simple but effective method: Get Clarity on what needs to be done first, Get Started on what needs to be done next, and Get Sh*t Done by knowing what needs to be done more of. Under Darren’s leadership, this strategy has helped innumerable people and groups burst their objectives like glass piñatas, unleashing their aspirations and utilizing the accountability superpower.
As Apple Australia’s Manager of Commercial Markets during the ground-breaking Steve Jobs era, Darren made a substantial contribution to the company’s history. Afterwards, before beginning his coaching and mentoring career, Darren and his business partner successfully sold and exited their lifestyle companies. Darren’s depth as a coach is enhanced by his rich background, which combines technological understanding with innovative accountability techniques.
Darren Finkelstein provides hope and a road to success for people who want to use accountability to improve their personal and professional lives. Accompany him on this transformative quest to accomplish the remarkable. Read Darren’s full Bio here:
Read Darren’s full Bio here: https://tickthoseboxes.com.au/
Know what to do first
know what to do next
know what to do more of
"You can't buy happiness, but Getting Stuff Done is pretty much the same thing"
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