What Does it Mean to be Accountable?

It is widely understood that accountability is taking responsibility for your actions, but it goes further than that. It also means taking ownership of your role and behaviour in the workplace, the choices you make and acknowledging that your actions have consequences.

Since the implementation of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) firms back in 2019, there has been a greater emphasis on personal accountability. The aim is to reduce consumer harm and raise professional standards, and these values can also be transferred over to the workplace and your position within a team.

Why is being accountable important?

A lack of accountability in the workplace can directly affect your colleagues and cause a team to crumble, leading to negative effects on the working environment and culture. An absence of trust and engagement can spread within a firm. This not only applies to employees, but also to upper management and CEOs.

Focusing on the team as a whole rather than on yourself shows empathy and a willingness to help. By sharing commitments and tasks with colleagues, you are demonstrating accountability for the team’s growth and accomplishments. Leading by example will encourage your team to also step up and take initiative, which fosters a dependable and healthy workplace culture. However, you should never make commitments that you do not intend to keep. Instead of focusing on what might make you ‘look good’, be open and honest. If you cannot complete a task, it is okay to admit that you need help.

It can be difficult, but accepting criticism and feedback is a great example of accountability. By listening and taking in the opinions and advice of others, you are proving that problems are not being brushed to the side and instead are ready to improve the situation. It may seem simple, but also offering a genuine apology for a mistake you made shows professionalism and integrity.

By taking full ownership of your actions, more time can be spent on finding solutions and delivering results rather than putting the blame on others. Learning from a mistake is far more valuable than shifting responsibility onto someone else. It is crucial for growth and success, not only for the business, but also yourself.

If you are interested in learning more, the Development Zone a range of courses related to topics we have touched on in this article, including:

• Senior Managers and Certification Regime SMCR - Introduction
• Workplace Communication - Introduction
• Team Work - Introduction

If you are new to the Aviva Development Zone, we offer a 14-day free trial where you can try every feature and every course! Click here to find out more: https://mydevelopment.zone/