Great topic! Accountability in my opinion is difficult at best to achieve without "interaction." If I am able to share my value system with others and am truly committed to be held accountable for my actions and inactions...a collaborative effort with other like-minded individuals, will help insure success. Example: The highest success rate for smoking cessation is when a person COMBINES drug therapies with a SUPPORT group. In essence the individual is being held accountable by his peers.

I belong to an "accountability group" for the lack of a better term, where we collaboratively share wisdom and struggles and work to empower other group members to succeed in being faithful to their "true" purpose in life. It is not an easy process, but rewarding! Thanks for the insight!
Wayne Oliver | 02.13.06 - 2:57 pm | #

Wayne,

Thanks for the comments. I think you are correct that interaction is the key to accountability. Finding ways to interact is probably what my focus needs to be in those situations where the interaction is lacking. The "accountability group" idea is a great one. I belong to a few groups of that nature also, and they work great. Perhaps the best bet is to keep the accountabilty focus on my self.

Tom
Tom Jablonski | 02.13.06 - 8:51 pm | #

I agree Wayne. I also think that clarity of expectations and purpose are critical. In launching a new team for a specific project for example, it is critical, from my perspective, to be clear about expectations, roles and responsibilities at the outset. People can't be accountable to something vague, even if they want to.
In terms of a personal mission statement, I highly encourage this practice. The act of having to write one that expresses how you want to be perceived by others is powerful and requires one to truly reflect on their values and intent.

Mary Jo
Mary Jo Klos | 02.15.06 - 6:09 am | #

Mary Jo,

Thanks for your ideas on accountability.

Without sharing expectations, and more imporatantly purpose, expectations can be a setup for sure failure. In my case I need be aware of my expectations as often times what I expect and what someone else is capable or willing to do are not the same things. Purpose however is a concept that is easier to come to agreement on.

Writing out a mission statement is a powerful way to bring the mission to life, might be why it is such a difficult thing to commit to doing (at least in my case).

Tom
Tom Jablonski | 02.15.06 - 1:40 pm | #