Whether at home, work place or within a social organization the effective exercise of accountability is critical.  Lack of defined accountability results in frustration and it’s associated social baggage (anger, despair,  angst, withdrawal, etc)

Defining Accountability

Personal accountability is the willingness to be answerable for outcomes resulting from your choices behavior and actions (I paraphrased this from material I found on the internet.  It is not a direct quote but shortened and summarized a bit).

Collaberative Accountability – shared responsibilities across team members, teams or groups.  High performing teams exhibit the ability to practice joint accountability.  The three musketeers motto is a great example of this.  “One for all and all for one”.

Organizational Accountability – whether the organization is your home, association or workplace the defined leadership structure must include clearly defined accountabilities together with the associated levels of empowerment to exercise them. That is, who does what, when and how vigorously.

Anarchy Reigns

Without some type of accountability (one, two or all of the types noted) the right things don’t get done, except by accident.  The risk of failure is high and paricipants in such situations tend to bail.

I have heard arguments around the value of anarchy, as both a philisophical and political practice but, like communisum, I am not aware of any practicle applications.

Conceptually, maybe although I even question if some of the stated benefits I have heard bandied about anarchic societies are at all real.

So if you have any opportunity to influence or impact (for the better) the level of practice and or effectiveness of personal, collaberative or organizational accountability behaviors within your sphere of operations – do it.  You will be thankful you did.