The accountability myths that kill success

I wrote a post on LinkedIn about accountability and it hit a few nerves. Mostly in a good way, but got me thinking...

Accountability is misunderstood

The biggest misunderstanding about accountability is that it's about blame and punishment. Too many people think accountability means "finding who messed up and making them pay for it." Or that it's about micro-managing every move so that "nothing gets through the net". 

This creates a culture of fear where people hide mistakes, point fingers, or avoid taking risks altogether.
 

Real accountability is about ownership and growth. It's about creating an environment where people feel safe to say "I ***ked up". Especially when they don't know how to fix it. It's about having the courage to look at results honestly so you can do better.
 

When accountability is done right, it's incredibly empowering. It gives people agency over their work and builds trust across the team. It creates a space where people can take bold action knowing that mistakes aren't career-enders but opportunities to develop.

Leaders who are sizzlingly successful don't use accountability as a weapon - they use it as a tool for building something brilliant together.

Because I know you love a cheat-sheet...
Here's how to do accountability 

Make expectations crystal clear

Vague instructions lead to vague results. Be specific about what success looks like, when it's needed, and why it matters. Then you have a baseline for accountability and agency.
 

Create a safe space for honest conversations
"What got in your way?" opens doors. "Why didn't you do this?" slams them shut.
 

Celebrate the wins and the recoveries
Recognise when someone stumbles, owns it, and sorts it out. That shows your team that accountability isn't about perfection, it's about integrity in the face of challenges.
 

Model it yourself
Nothing kills accountability faster than leaders who don't walk their talk. When you miss a deadline or make a mistake, acknowledge it and share what you're doing to fix it.
 

Check in, not up
Regular check-ins signal that you care about progress. Go for "How can I help clear obstacles?" rather than "Have you done it yet?"
 

Remember, building accountability isn't a one-off initiative. It's woven into your daily fabulousness, your interactions, conversations, and decisions.
 

I've got your back as you build a team that doesn't just talk about results, but delivers them.
 

Now, get out there and be sizzlingly successful.