Rethinking Authentic Accountability

I know many leaders who pay lip service to accountability. They talk about it, sometimes equating it with blame. In any case, it's associated with taking responsibility. Authentic accountability means people feel they, not their leaders or others, are responsible for making things happen. It only happens when people feel empowered to take initiative without permission. From this perspective, it cannot be commanded. It cannot be a matter of policy or top down mandate. It can only be invited. It has to be a free choice meaning people feel as free to embrace as to reject the opportunity. 

When they embrace the invitation, they become authentically accountable.