What are the principles of accountability?

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Where does accountability stem from? What’s the source?

Principles of accountability are like ingredients in an ice-cream. They come together to formulate a distinct extravagant taste but ice-cream is always served cold, hence the name.

To be good at what you do, you must enforce strict accountability. It doesn’t always feel great but it’s important to achieve favourable results. There’s a beauty in this cold, strict, yet satisfying endeavour.

So what are the ingredients of accountability? Here’s some insight to help you out in developing a deeper understanding of accountability.

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Foundation of Accountability

Accountability is often the difference between successful people and those who fail. Accountability is simply “doing the things to say you are going to do, and getting your team to do the same”.

Following are the building blocks of accountability:

  1. Transparency

Transparency means being crystal clear about your job. When you are transparent, others can easily see what actions you perform to complete a job. You communicate better with your clients, employees, and employer. This sense of openness also makes others comfortable in terms of interacting with you.

  1. Answerability

For remarkable accountability, you have to be answerable. When someone has a query, you need to be clear and honest in your answer and justifications. Having clear reasoning for your actions is vital for accountability.

  1. Compliance

Monitoring your thought process, work flow and actions are part of being compliant with the work ethic code. Compliance is a very important building block of accountability. When you believe in rules, you go the extra mile to complete a job. Because you like a law-abiding life, as all people should.

  1. Trust Enforcement

You must have a strong trust in your abilities. Trust in yourself also brings you towards calling yourself out in case you made a fatal mistake. Who knows you better than yourself? Sit down and take out some time from your busy schedule to wonder about these things. If you made a mistake, go back to the clipboard and think of a solution.

What should I do if I am lost?

If there’s anything I’ve learnt from years and years of training, it’s the fact that judging your own self is the hardest thing a human being can do. We always think we made the right decision. On the other hand, if we are always pessimistic about our decision making, it can be extremely toxic for us. So, what should you do when you’re stuck in this endless fiddle?

I suggest finding an accountability partner ad buddy.  When you have someone to look over your shoulder, you perform much better. You can’t judge yourself, but if you put your trust in another individual to keep you motivated, then you are more likely to find your way to success.

Find someone who accounts your behaviour with your permission with complete honesty. Someone to enforce your own regulations on you, so you remain motivated to pursue your desired goals instead of wandering astray.

Accountability can only be maximised if you keep yourself motivated to follow the rules and never ignore criticism by your partner.

I know this is not an easy task. Believe me, I know because I have personally struggled to bring a certain level of work ethic, discipline and accountability in my personality. If you don’t get up and change, life will never get better.

I have formulated my very own rules for this matter.

Darren’s 3 Ps of accountability principles

1. Plan

As they say, if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. Make a plan and act on it through and through. Don’t leave out even the most minor details.

I suggest breaking down your goals into small quantifiable objectives. Human beings like periodic excitement. By excitement, I mean success, because they want to know they’ve accomplished something. You should treat yourself with periodic success to keep yourself motivated.

The bigger your goals are, the longer you will have to work without success. Split those big goals into small ones. And trust me, you will be far better at your game. These small achievements will keep you motivated and also help you build momentum.

2. Prioritise

Give priority to things that matter the most, but that doesn’t mean ignoring other jobs. A steady balance between tasks is very important. So too, is the significance of understanding the difference between what is important and what is urgent.

3. Partner

Find someone to hold you to account, get an accountability buddy. As I have said before, getting someone else to help you is not shameful. It’s a part of your success. No corporate giant started alone. Even Steve Jobs, considered a pioneer, was accompanied by Steve Wozniak and they both held each other to account.

Ask yourself – did I account myself for my failures? Have I achieved anything by being irresponsible? How will I make accountability a part of my life?

Did I work on Darren’s rules of accountability? Answer honestly. It’s for your own good.

Even a habit this simple can put you on the right track. Remember, if you don’t change, you will never succeed. You will be grinding and end up exhausted. At that time, even if you work hard, you won’t succeed because it will be too late.

Take some time out and think over these principles. I hope you become the better version of your yesterday self with every passing day. Darren believes in you!