The Difference Between Accountability and Responsibility Might Seem Trivial.  In Fact, it is Life-Changing 

We're Responsible For Things.  We're Accountable To People

In this page we'll go over the difference between accountability and responsibility. And while it might seem like the two words have similar meanings and indeed are often used interchangeably, the truth is that there is a significant difference in actual definitions and in end results. There is a reason our website is named as it is and not "responsiblecitizens.com."

As you will read in the following paragraphs, taking responsibility is an important character trait. The lack of responsibility for personal actions can become a direct link to the issues facing our nation. But being accountable means even more. It encompasses the responsibility factors while also adding a component of taking a long-range look at making positive changes that create long-lasting momentum.

Accountability is always a personal choice that requires courage and conviction. Willingness to be accountable will be challenged. Sometimes it will feel like accountability is an attack. This is because when we are accountable, we speak truth. A consistent theme on our website will be about bringing truth to light.

The Big Difference Between Accountability and Responsibility

A simple definition of responsibility is "the ability to respond to situations and events in our lives as well as performing and completing assigned tasks." Keeping it overly simple, a definition of accountability is "the recognition and acknowledgement of those responsibilities and being answerable for the outcomes of our actions, definitions, and mistakes."

Even after reading that paragraph is the difference between accountability and responsibility still a little blurry? They still sound about the same, don't they? When we look a little deeper, we see the big distinction.

Responsibility can be given or received, but it won't guarantee accountability. Responsibility is usually placed upon us. We are given tasks or assignments and are expected to finish those jobs to the best of our ability. Accountability is a choice and when fully embraced, is an empowering choice. If we don't make this choice, we can have loads of responsibility, but might not ever take the more important step to go beyond what is expected, up to what is possible.

Responsibility is small-window thinking. Accountability is big-picture visioning of the long-term effects of our choices, not only for ourselves but for generations to come.

We hear these two words tossed around interchangeably most often when things go wrong and we're looking to assign blame. That is an overlooked, but crucial difference between accountability and responsibility. Lets look at some examples.

Responsibility suggests defined roles, a set hierarchy, focus territory, processes that are set and certain limits. None of those are bad things in abstract thinking, but too often lead to reactions such as "Not my job!" or "I thought you were doing that!"

There are negative traits that seems to follow this viewpoint of only "doing my job." We tend to justify our actions and the direct effects as a means of covering our backsides.

Poor listening skills and lack of constructive feedback are nearly always found in these disempowering situations. Team synergy is lost and the focus shifts away from overall success to highlighting failures.

We dedicated an entire page to the art of listening which is also a choice. Being an effective listener is part of being accountable. So we see another example of the difference between accountability and responsibility.

In the next block we'll give you a short list of steps you can take to shift mindsets from "have to" to "will do." 

Shifting To An Accountability Mindset

Here is an easy list to guide us to the accountability mindset that will improve our lives in so many ways and also lift our nation to greater heights. Big things always start with small steps.

*Seek the perspective of others.

*Communicate openly and honestly

*Ask for and offer constructive feedback and then act on the advice given to you

*Be willing to hear and say the hard things to set reality

*Be personally invested in the long term results

*Ask "What else can I do?"

*Coordinate and collaborate with similar groups. Break down territorial boundaries that restrict overall success

*Take necessary risks. Being accountable means stepping away from comfort zones which is why it is the road less traveled.

*Do what we say we will do.

"Stay Above The Line"

The concept of staying "above the line" has been around for years as a guide to leadership development and a way to self-check our efforts in being accountable for our thoughts and actions.

We're responsible for things. We're accountable to people. Evaluate that list in the previous block and recognize the areas of your strength and the spots where improvement could be made. Ask for help from experts and also offer your own expertise.

There is a clear line that separates responsibility from accountability. Accountability means we don't compromise core values and principles for personal gain. We don't seek to tear down or shift blame away from ourselves.

Resolutely staying above the line will change your lives and will impact so many other lives. Your personal self-confidence will grow. We all have that nagging conscience tugging at us when we drop below the line to cut corners on moral values. We know when we aren't doing the right things for the right reasons. Accountability keeps our focus above the line.

You will know you are making a positive impact in the lives of fellow citizens. You will be fully utilizing the talents at your disposal.

Speak up when you see injustice. Accountability means not leaving the important work for someone else. We are placed on this earth to make things better than the way we found it.

The big differences between accountability and responsibility are mindset and courage. Between doing more and doing minimums. Between staying above the line that requires sometimes taking risks instead of remaining in the anonymous shadow of "not my job."

The difference is pretty clear when you think about the message of this page.

Being Accountable for Your Actions

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