What does acceptance have to do with accountability?

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When we talk about accountability, we talk about empowerment, self-discipline, transparency, responsible behavior, and ownership. Therefore, acceptance is another term coined for being accountable and taking ownership. Acceptance is related to accountability because the individual accepts the failure or the decision they take to face the challenges or improve his performance. And an accountable individual will stand up for their choices or losses, and they would blame their failures on another team member. Therefore, acceptance and accountability are closely related. So let’s understand how responsibility and acceptance work together.

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What is accountability?

It is a personal trait that an individual develops over a period after learning self-discipline and brings transparency, ownership, and responsible behavior to their actions. They also makes decisions proactively to avoid any failures or challenges they might encounter. They learn to build solid and loyal relationships with their peers and customers. Ownership of responsibilities and ownership of wrong decisions and failures is critical to accountability. Now that we have understood what accountability is let’s understand what acceptance is and how it can help in becoming more accountable.

What is acceptance?

Acceptance is divided into three sections: awareness, acknowledgment, and acceptance. Awareness is the beginning stage, where you are aware of the situation or failure resulting from your decision. So, you now know that the project has failed. The second step is acknowledgment, which is understanding why your project failed. It was because of the decision you just took. You now know that failure is because of your one wrong decision. So, finally, acceptance that yes, I took this decision, and that’s how it impacted the project, and that’s why the project failed. So many of us become aware and acknowledge the results, but how many of us accept the result and reason? Not all! So, if you accept the reasoning and impact, you can only learn from your mistakes and improve on them next time. So, if one learns to accept the challenges, decisions, and results, the individual will improve his skills. That’s where they will become more and more accountable. So, let’s look at different examples of where we can change ourselves for acceptance and responsible.

Examples where acceptance and accountable behavior are closely related.

Acceptance of clarity

We have spoken about gaining clarity about the job or the expectations set for you by the organization or the manager. Therefore, as an employee, you are aware of and have acknowledged what you are expected to perform, but then it is all about accepting the expectation and acting.

Acceptance of relationship building with peers

You are aware that you have to make a loyal and respectful relationship with your peers so that you all can work on projects together, but as a team member have accepted this responsibility. Or you are still depending on others to take the lead.

Acceptance of decision-making

You are aware that you are empowered to make decisions that are right for the project, and you acknowledge that you can make the decision. But have you accepted the decision-making capabilities? Are you proactive and transparent enough to share your thoughts with others?

Acceptance of failures

Ownership of your project failures, not blaming it on peers as their failures is the crucial acceptance. Are you accountable enough to accept your project failures?

Acceptance of responsibilities

Yes, overall, you are aware you acknowledge the duties given to you by the organization. But have you accepted the responsibilities?

Acceptance of feedback

We have always discussed that feedbacks are crucial for developments and improvements. So, are you accountable enough to accept the feedback given to you? Will you improve and make the necessary changes, or will you remain the same?

Acceptance is the first step to becoming accountable at work or in my personal life. Accepting your responsibilities, failures, or successes will ensure that you perform at your best level. That will help you become self-disciplined, will ensure that you become a proactive thinker, will be transparent in your approach, your communication skills will improve, you will be open to new ideas, and finally, you will see ownership of your actions.

Conclusion

Acceptance and accountability will help create a workplace culture of empowerment, transparency, and respectful relationships. Acceptance and accountability go hand in hand to promote trust, self-improvement and discipline, ownership, and success. By embracing accountability and acceptance, the manager can build a positive relationship with his team, create transparency at work, and set exemplary examples for others to follow.

About The Author

Darren Finkelstein, The Accountability Guy®, is the founder of TICK THOSE BOXES, a specialised accountability coaching practice. Darren is a formidable international accountability coach, business advisor, mentor, and author/speaker, fostering development and measurable results in entrepreneurship, leadership, and accountability. Darren’s tale is one of perseverance, self-reinvention, and resilience.

With compelling execution, Darren has empowered high-achieving individuals and teams from Australia and New Zealand to Latin America, Europe, Asia, the UK, and the US to embrace accountability; after all, it is your superpower.

Darren’s one-on-one and group coaching programs are based on his bestselling business book, “The Accountability Advantage – Play your best game” and the latest, release “NO’ – Building a life of choice without obligation”.

Darren has an impressive background in business, having held the role of “Manager of Commercial Markets” at Apple Australia during the Steve Jobs revolution.

He enthusiastically “walks the talk,” having also successfully sold and exited his lifestyle businesses, which served as the impetus for establishing his coaching and mentoring business.

Join Darren on this transformative quest to accomplish the remarkable.

Read Darren’s full bio here:
https://tickthoseboxes.com.au/about/