A checklist for being accountable

When you have a caring mindset, being accountable becomes second nature. It becomes part of your DNA. When you are accountable, you do the following: take action, take personal responsibility for your actions, make a deliberate choice to act, think deeply about the consequences or your actions, and set high expectations for yourself so you can inspire others. In other words when you are accountable, you no longer pass the buck or hope they find a solution to the problem. You become the solution instead of remaining part of the problem.

Without embracing accountability, you cannot have a caring mindset. Don’t get me wrong. Just because you choose to be accountable does not mean you can’t ask for help. Being accountable does not mean you are the one who is expected to swoop down and save everyone. Being accountable does mean being proactive instead of reactive when approaching challenges or solving problems.

In fact, an important part of being accountable is knowing what you don’t know. It means you know enough to ask for help when it is needed. I’m someone who makes a living being brought into organizations to provide answers, but that does not always mean I have them. What it does mean is that I’m accountable enough to help find the answers and be part of the solution.

Being accountable means not being afraid to stress, trying something new, taking on a challenge and being purposeful and prideful in the choices and decisions you make every single day at work, at home and in your community.

Ask yourself what you are doing to embrace accountability.

Are you making mindful choices? Are you thinking deeply enough to make a difference with those choices? Do you set your expectations high enough to inspire your customers, your children, your family, your friends?