Profiles In Leadership - Taking The Right Steps

Chapter 9: Accountability – Owning Outcomes

L eadership thrives on accountability. The glue that holds integrity, trust, and performance together for individuals and organizations. At its core, accountability means taking responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their consequences. It requires leaders to model accountability in their behavior while fostering a culture where everyone is empowered and expected to own their outcomes. Avoiding accountability—whether by shifting blame, evading responsibility, or neglecting to address underperformance—can weaken the foundation of leadership. These weaknesses can erode trust, obstruct growth, and ultimately lead to organizational failure. This chapter will examine the significance of accountability in leadership and explore the dangers of sidestepping this critical responsibility.

What Accountability Means in Leadership

Accountability in leadership goes beyond simply acknowledging mistakes or recognizing achievements. It is about consistently aligning actions with core values, taking ownership of outcomes, and holding oneself and

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