No Excuses Leadership

Responsible vs. Accountable

There's a difference between responsibility and accountability.  Responsibility is the act of being in charge of or having control over a task.  Accountability is a requirement where one is expected to answer for his or her choices.  Both, while critical components of leadership, are not equal.  Accountability is really where the rubber meets the road.

The best leaders understand the subtle differences between being responsible and being accountable.  Because of this, they spend the bulk of their time delegating the responsibility for initiatives to capable staff members and colleagues. Next, because they as leaders are held accountable, they constantly assess progress and lend support where it's needed along the way.

Too many of our leaders are spending equal time being responsible and accountable.  It's like they're doing two jobs for the price of one.  If this sounds like you, maybe it's time to make a new commitment to delegating responsibilities to some of the other highly capable professionals you work with.

TAKE ACTION

Make a list of the jobs you are currently doing in your position.  Be specific and detailed as you do.  After doing so, decide which ones you should be responsible for yourself and which ones you should delegate to others and be accountable for instead.

BE BOLD

"Accountability is not what we do, but also what we do not do."

- Moliere -