We often associate accountability with blame, being wrong, losing face or even losing our job. We might even define accountability as “clarity about who takes the hit” when things go wrong.

Too often we give people more work than they can handle effectively, hold them accountable for getting it all done, and express frustration when they present us with a list of very good reasons for their failure to deliver what we think they should have delivered.

Holding others accountable to external standards that they have not contributed to or agreed upon sometimes fosters personalization and blaming and the excuses for non-action that go along with it. This perpetuates the victim cycle, causing the self-described victim to become more and more entrenched in being “right”. Deflecting blame is almost as common as breathing, and finding the fortitude and integrity to be accountable takes intention.

Along with intention, accountability requires vulnerability. According to Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”

True accountability aligns with the essential mindset of a coach – believing in another’s ability to grow and excel. When we truly hold this belief, we hold others as “able” while they hold themselves accountable.

By Frances Shuster

Frances Shuster is CEO of Coaching For Results Global and a coauthor of Results Coaching: The New Essential for School Leaders. She is a faculty instructor and coach for the CFR Global Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP). She is on the faculty of the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) ACTP, which is part of the Naveen Jindal School of Management.