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com
 Accountability separates the wishers in life from the
action-takers that care enough about their future to
account for their daily actions
John Di Lemme

Sample Module: What is Accountability?

Accountability is an essential factor in an exceptional, high-functioning
workplace. It is very important to build a team that fosters workplace
accountability, since accountability will be reflected in the accuracy and
efficiency of the work produced by the employees. Accountability
ensures that each employee is invested in the success of the business,
and that they will strive to seek results that are best for the team.

Holding employees accountable will help to highlight the importance of

the responsibilities in relation to the business. Personal accountability in
the workplace will result in higher productivity, workplace satisfaction, and an overall stronger bond
between the team members.

Defining Accountability
Accountability is the acceptance and obligation to carry out a responsibility. This
includes being answerable for decisions, actions, and the outcomes. The term
accountability often carries a negative connotation; however, accountability is
beneficial in many ways, including personal benefits, as well as benefits for a team
or organization. Accountability represents a form of trust, which is a fundamental
trait for employees to have.

The practice of accountability can involve power being transferred from one individual to another. In the
workplace, being accountable means to take this power and own it. In other words, employees should
respect their everyday obligations to perform their best, and work toward building the business.
Accountability will help to avoid negligence or misconduct in the workplace. Each employee is
accountable to carry out specific tasks, however the employer will also be accountable for controlling
and directing the team.

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 An accountable employee will have specific habits, including:

 Taking responsibility, and managing this responsibility

 Practicing time management skills

 Avoiding excuses

 Working with the other members of the team

Estimated Time 15 minutes

Topic Objective To define and understand the term accountability.

Defining accountability, determining the habits of an accountable employee,

Topic Summary
and how accountability influences the workplace.

Materials Required Flipchart and markers

Planning Checklist None

Ask participants to write down what comes to mind when they hear the
word ‘accountability’. Try to come up with a list of 5 words that they would
Recommended Activity associate with this term.

Have the participants share and discuss their responses.

Stories to Share Share any personal, relevant stories.

This activity may be done in small groups, or as a large group.

Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate in this discussion.

What is accountability?
Review Questions What are some examples of habits that an accountable employee would
have?

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 Personal Accountability
Accountability is not limited to the exchange of expectations between individuals; it
can be on a personal level as well. Personal accountability is taking full responsibility
for your own actions and outcomes. This form of accountability can result in a
higher level of happiness, and feelings of personal achievement.

Personal accountability is powerful. It is one thing to set a goal and say you are
going to do it, but to actually stay committed and follow through with your goals is
life changing. Not everyone has personal accountability, but everyone is capable of having it. It is a
strong skill to have that requires taking control over your thoughts and actions. Remember, you are
responsible for your own success, so how are you going to reach this success?

Building personal accountability includes:

 Envisioning your future

 Setting measurable goals

 Taking ownership

 Problem-solving to find solutions

 Choosing appropriate attitudes and behaviors

Estimated Time 20 minutes

Topic Objective To understand the term personal accountability.

Focusing on personal accountability, the benefits associated with this

Topic Summary
commitment, and how to build personal accountability.

Flipchart and markers

Materials Required
Worksheet 1: Accountability and Me

Planning Checklist Provide enough worksheet printouts for all participants.

Have participants complete Worksheet 1: Accountability and Me

Recommended Activity
Allow time for participants to share responses from their worksheet.

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Stories to Share Share any personal, relevant stories.

Since this activity is based on personal experiences, participants are not

Delivery Tips
required to share their responses is they are not comfortable doing so.

What is personal accountability?

Review Questions What are the benefits of being accountable?

What are some ways that you can build personal accountability?

Being Held Accountable

You may often hear the phrase “holding someone accountable”, but have you ever
stopped to think about what it means to be held accountable? We hold others
accountable all of the time, whether it is in the workplace, or in our lives outside of
work. To hold someone accountable means that you are relying on someone to
produce results for a particular obligation or task that has been delegated to this
person. In other words, you have expectations for this person to deliver on their
commitment.

As an employee, others have expectations of you the moment you accept the position. Employees are
expected to arrive to work on time in the proper attire, and have an appropriate attitude. The employer
will delegate particular assignments over time, and it is up to you as an employee to accept and commit
to your work. To be held accountable means to be personally responsible for actions, decisions, and
outcomes.

It is highly beneficial to hold yourself accountable. Personal accountability is a choice and mindset in
which you are holding yourself accountable for your actions. This is a good way to achieve goals,
increase your confidence, and grow as an individual. Personal accountability is all about making a
commitment to yourself.

Estimated Time 20 minutes

To understand the phrases “holding someone accountable”, and “holding

Topic Objective
yourself accountable”.

Determining what it means to hold someone accountable, specific

Topic Summary
expectations of employees, and the benefits of holding yourself accountable.

Materials Required Flipchart and markers

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 Worksheet 2: Reflecting on Accountability

Planning Checklist Provide enough worksheet printouts for all participants.

Have participants complete Worksheet 2: Reflecting on Accountability.

Recommended Activity
Allow time for participants to share responses from their worksheet.

Stories to Share Share any personal, relevant stories.

Delivery Tips Encourage everyone to participate in this discussion.

What does it mean to hold someone accountable?

Review Questions
What happens when we hold ourselves accountable?

Accountability vs. Blame

Effective work environments are those that create and encourage accountability,
while eliminating blame. Accountability and blame are two very different terms, and
should not be used interchangeably. In fact, blame damages accountability.

Accountability is all about constructively moving forward, and focuses on what you
can control. It means that you take responsibility for outcomes, whether they are
good or bad. Accountable individuals will gain respect from others, and gain confidence in themselves.
They choose to own their outcomes. In contrast to accountability, blame focuses on the past,
punishment, and the shifting of responsibility onto someone else. Blame creates an unhealthy and
irresponsible work environment.

Unaccountable employees may choose to invest their energy in blame because they feel as though it is
easier than being accountable for mistakes, or because they do not want to find the underlying cause of
the problem. Blame is used as a defense mechanism that focuses on who is wrong, rather than what is
wrong. In order to eliminate blame in the workplace, it is important to see problems as learning
opportunities, rather than drawbacks.

Estimated Time 20 minutes

Topic Objective To differentiate between the terms, accountability and blame.

Determining the difference between accountability and blame, and how

Topic Summary
each one affects the workplace.

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Materials Required Flipchart and markers

Planning Checklist None

Have participants break into small groups. Within these groups, have
participants divide a piece of paper into two sections, labeling the top of one
section as “accountability” and the other as “blame”.

Under these headings, brainstorm and write down:

Recommended Activity  Any words or phrases that you would associate with the term
 Any advantages or disadvantages
 How you feel each one would impact the workplace

Ask the groups to share and discuss their responses with the rest of the
group.

Stories to Share Share any personal, relevant stories.

Delivery Tips Encourage everyone to participate in this discussion.

Why do unaccountable employees choose to invest their energy in blame?

Review Questions
Can blame and accountability be used interchangeably?

Understanding the Importance

Accountability has a powerful effect on the results of a business. Accountability helps
to ensure that every team member has a strong understanding of the values of the
business, and why they are engaging in certain practices. Each employee is working
toward the same overall goal. It is crucial that every individual is aware of the
importance of accountability in the workplace. Otherwise, they will not understand
the impact that their position has, and therefore not perform adequately.

If employees are not invested in accountability, then problems will arise. Lack of accountability will
result in blame, conflicts, lower quality of performance, and evidently greater frustrations. Therefore, it
is necessary to hold yourself responsible, and motivate your team to do the same thing in order to
eliminate these problems from happening. Accountability helps in building a positive, successful work
culture.

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Estimated Time 10 minutes

Topic Objective To determine the importance of accountability in the workplace.

Determining the powerful effects that accountability has on a business, and

Topic Summary
the disadvantages of lacking accountability in the workplace.

Materials Required None

Planning Checklist None

Have participants discuss as a group the importance of accountability.

Recommended Activity
Discuss how a workplace would function without accountability.

Stories to Share Share any personal, relevant stories.

Delivery Tips Encourage everyone to participate.

Why should employees know the importance of accountability?

Review Questions
What happens if employees are not invested in accountability?

Practical Illustration
Jonah’s boss had assigned him to do a sales analysis to determine their business’ top selling
product. He understood the value of this assignment, and wanted to show his boss that he
is committed to his work. Jonah agreed to take on this responsibility, and began by making
goals for this project. His plan was to have the assignment done by the end of the week,
and give his boss an organized analysis. He started his assignment with a positive attitude,
and stuck to his initial timeline in order to get the job done. Despite having other work to do, he was
able to complete the project on time because he had goals and a plan. His boss was very proud of Jonah
and knew he chose the right person to hold accountable for this project.

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Module Two: Review Questions
1. What is accountability?

a) The acceptance and obligation to carry out a responsibility

b) Being answerable for decisions, actions and outcomes
c) A form of trust
d) All of the above

These are all true in defining the term accountability.

2. An accountable employee will...

a) Take responsibility and manage this responsibility

b) Lack time management skills
c) Come up with excuses for his or her mistakes
d) All of the above

An accountable employee will take responsibility and manage the responsibility, have good
time management skills, and avoid the use of excuses.

3. What is personal accountability?

a) Taking full responsibility for your own actions and outcomes

b) A way to increase happiness and feelings of personal achievement
c) An expectation from another individual
d) Both A and B

Personal accountability is taking full responsibility for your own action and outcomes, in
which this responsibility will increase levels of happiness and feelings of personal
achievement.

4. How can you build personal accountability?

a) Set measurable goals

b) Envision your future
c) Taking ownership
d) All of the above

These are all ways in which you can build personal accountability.

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 5. What does it mean to “hold someone accountable”?

a) You are relying on someone to produce results for a particular obligation or task that
has been delegated to this person
b) Having no expectations for someone to stay committed to their obligations
c) Suggesting someone to do something
d) None of the above

To “hold someone accountable” means that you are relying on this person to follow through
with their obligations.

6. Why is it beneficial to hold yourself accountable?

a) It will help you to achieve goals

b) Increases confidence
c) It will help you to grow as an individual
d) All of the above

These are all benefits of holding yourself accountable.

7. True or false, accountability and blame have the same meaning and can be used
interchangeably.

a) True
b) False

Accountability and blame do not have the same meaning, and should not be used
interchangeably.

8. Why should blame be eliminated from the workplace?

a) Blame damages accountability

b) It creates an unhealthy, and irresponsible work environment
c) It focuses on the past, punishment, and shifting responsibility onto someone else
d) All of the above

These are all reasons as to why blame should be eliminated from the workplace.

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 9. Why is accountability important in the workplace?

a) It has an insignificant effect on the results for the business

b) It helps to ensure that every team member has a strong understanding of the values of
the business
c) It dismisses the importance of positions and suggests that every employee has the same
obligations
d) It is only important for most employees to be accountable in the workplace

Accountability is important in the workplace because it acknowledges the values and goals
of the business, has a powerful effect on results, and shows the impact every individual in
their position has on the overall business.

10. What will happen if a workplace is lacking accountability?

a) Blame and conflicts

b) Higher quality of work performance
c) Less frustrations
d) An increase in employee engagement and productivity

If accountability is lacking in the workplace, there will be more blame and conflicts.

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Sample Worksheet 1

Accountability and Me
1. a) What am I accountable for outside of the workplace?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

b) What are my skills and strengths that help me to achieve this?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. a) What am I accountable for inside of the workplace?

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

b) What are my skills and strengths that help me to achieve this?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

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Sample Worksheet 2

Reflecting on Accountability

1. a) Describe a time when you were asked to handle a big project.

____________________________________________________
________________________________________________
b) What were your strategies to help you with this project?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
c) Looking back, is there anything you would have changed about your strategy?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

2. a) Describe a time when you asked someone else to handle a big project.

____________________________________________________
________________________________________________
b) What were his or her strategies?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
c) Is there anything you would have changed about his or her strategies?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
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Icebreaker: A New Leader
PURPOSE
To help participants get acquainted and start talking to each other.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

 Index cards

PREPARATION

Write the name of a different famous person on five or six index cards. Some examples: Madonna, Tiger
Woods, Lance Armstrong, Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Angelina Jolie.

Divide participants into groups of four to six. Give each group one of the cards.

ACTIVITY

Tell participants that the president of their company (or the head of their department) has resigned and
the position is now being taken over by the person on their index card. Ask each group to think of one
characteristic of this person that will help him or her do well in this new role.

After a few minutes, ask the groups to report on what they decided.

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CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

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[Name]
Has mastered the course
Accountability in the Workplace
Awarded this _______ day of __________, 20___

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Presenter Name and Title