Accountability Comments
Definition: Accountability means taking responsibility for meeting performance expectations and being answerable for the outcomes. It recognizes that actions have consequences, which reflect our commitment to accountability. When individuals aim for high accountability, their performance improves. Accountability exists in a variety of ways including: performance appraisals/reports, delegation of responsibilities, expectations of results, keeping the supervisor informed, being on time, and treating employees well.
Survey Questionnaires with Accountability:
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)

The statements below can be used in your self-assessment (self-feedback) or performance appraisal as examples to demonstrate your "accountability". You can have accountability for your actions, to the department, to the organization, for your performance. There are steps you can take to measure or improve accountability.
AccountabilityAccountability emphasizes ownership of responsibilities and actions. This dimension involves taking charge of tasks, fulfilling obligations, and ensuring projects are completed effectively. It highlights the proactive aspect of accountability--being dependable, establishing roles, and willingly accepting responsibility for actions and results. It is about demonstrating reliability and fulfilling commitments.
- I established who was responsible for various aspects of the project.
- I accepted accountability for my actions and results.
- I willingly accepted the obligation to complete the task.
- I took responsibility for seeing the project through to completion.
- I accepted accountability for my work.
- I am someone who is there when others are in need.
- I accepted accountability for my actions.
ConsequencesConsequences focuses on accepting the outcomes and implications of those responsibilities or actions. This dimension emphasizes the understanding and acceptance of the results--whether positive or negative--stemming from one's actions. It involves acknowledging performance benchmarks, addressing unmet expectations, and demonstrating commitment to answering for one's actions and their impacts.
- I accepted personal responsibility for my actions.
- I accepted the consequences for my actions.
- I held employees accountable for meeting performance benchmarks.
- I held employees responsible if expectations were not met.
- I was aware of the consequences for failure to complete the project.
- I willingly accepted the consequences for my actions.
- I demonstrated a commitment to taking responsibility for actions.
- I expected employees to accept the consequences of their actions.
- I am willing to answer for my own actions and performance.
Process and ProcedureProcess and Procedure focuses on structuring and implementing systematic practices to ensure accountability. This dimension is about establishing clear steps, objectives, and frameworks to guide individuals or teams in their work. It includes creating action plans, documenting performance goals, prioritizing tasks, and reporting progress. The emphasis here is on the how: the methods, processes, and transparency that build a strong foundation for achieving accountability.
- I developed goals and established objective measures of success.
- I projected an image of transparency and trustworthiness in the administration of fair and equitable policies.
- I exhibited a sense of ownership of the process.
- I documented performance goals through an individual development plan.
- I required employees to submit monthly reports of the work they performed.
- I created a consistent process for prioritizing work.
- I required employees to submit action plans, timelines or other objectives.
- I required team members to present progress reports or prepare contingency plans.
Accountability in OthersAccountability in Others focuses on cultivating responsibility and ownership among team members or employees. It involves defining clear roles, rights, and responsibilities, encouraging greater responsibilities, and ensuring employees set and commit to performance goals. This dimension highlights the leadership role in fostering accountability by actively engaging employees to take charge of their tasks and actions while striving for challenging yet achievable goals.
- I defined roles, rights, and responsibilities of employees.
- I defined roles, rights, and responsibilities of the team.
- I encouraged employees to take on greater responsibilities.
- I understood the importance of holding employees accountable for their work.
- I expected employees to account for their actions and performance.
- I sought commitment from employees prior to assigning tasks.
- I encouraged colleagues/business partners to take on greater responsibilities.
- I allowed employees to set their own performance goals.
- I encouraged employees to set challenging but achievable goals.
Outcomes and ResultsOutcomes and Results emphasizes taking ownership of the final deliverables and end goals. This dimension focuses on accepting responsibility for what is ultimately achieved (or not achieved), including accountability for project outcomes and personal performance. It reflects a commitment to delivering tangible results and accepting the implicationsâsuccess or failure--of one's efforts. The emphasis is on the what: the outcomes and impacts of actions taken.
- I took responsibility for results.
- I exhibited a sense of ownership of outcomes and results.
- I took full responsibility for project outcomes.
- I took full responsibility for my results.
- I accepted responsibility for outcomes.
- I accepted accountability for results.
- I accepted accountability for my results.
- I took personal responsibility for results.
In Problem SolvingIn Problem Solving emphasizes proactive leadership and ownership in addressing issues. This dimension centers on taking charge to find solutions, leading efforts to tackle critical problems, and holding others accountable for their contributions to problem-solving. It reflects a forward-thinking approach where individuals or teams commit to addressing issues head-on, troubleshooting effectively, and delivering the best solutions.
- I tackled issues head on and found solutions.
- I held employees accountable for their participation in solving department problems and issues.
- I took charge of addressing and solving problems.
- I took ownership of problems to find the best solutions.
- I accepted the responsibility to lead efforts to solve critical problems.
- I regularly led the way when helping the team troubleshoot various issues.
- I committed myself to leading the initiatives to solving critical issues.
PerformancePerformance emphasizes accountability for achieving high standards and measurable results. It includes taking personal responsibility for delivering quality and timely work, holding oneself and others accountable through performance reviews, and setting clear measures for success. This dimension focuses on actions, outcomes, and processes that ensure goals are met with efficiency and effectiveness.
- I acted like an owner when they make decisions.
- I held employees accountable through regular performance reviews.
- I reviewed performance to determine areas for improvement.
- I took personal responsibility for the quality of my work.
- I set clear performance measures.
- I held team accountable to meeting goals.
- I accepted personal responsibility for producing high quality and timely work.
- I justly applied disciplinary measures.
Errors and SetbacksErrors and Setbacks highlights responsibility and resilience in responding to mistakes and obstacles. This dimension involves taking ownership of errors, acknowledging failures, and actively working to rectify issues. It focuses on learning from setbacks, maintaining diligence despite challenges, and ensuring accountability for mistakes and their resolutions.
- I took ownership of mistakes and learn from them.
- I recognized when a mistake was made and worked to correct the issue.
- I took full responsibility for team's lack of progress.
- I took responsibility for errors in the production line.
- I took responsibility for errors and actively worked to correct them.
- I acknowledged errors and took the steps necessary to rectify them.
- I took full responsibility for lack of results achieved.
- I continued to work diligently on the problem despite setbacks.
- I accepted personal responsibility for not meeting expectations.
- I required employees provide me with advanced warning on problems and issues that they know will affect completion of tasks.
OrganizationOrganization focuses on collective responsibility and alignment with departmental or organizational goals. It highlights taking ownership of the team's actions and results, fostering success at a departmental level, and maintaining processes that preserve organizational integrity. This dimension reflects a broader sense of accountability where individuals are invested in the success of their team and organization, while also being attuned to potential issues or challenges that may affect overall performance.
- I fully embraced the responsibilities that contributed to our departmental success.
- I worked hard to ensure the success of the department.
- I am personally invested in the success of the organization.
- I worked diligently for the success of the team.
- I took responsibility for the team's actions and results.
- I took responsibility for the direction of the team.
- I implemented and facilitate controls and processes that maintain the integrity of the organization.
- I am aware of problems or issues that may affect the organization.
- I remained knowledgeable of Company performance.
Keeps Supervisor InformedKeeps Supervisor Informed emphasizes proactive communication with leadership. It centers on ensuring that supervisors are continuously updated on progress, risks, delays, and relevant events without needing to request updates. This dimension highlights the importance of transparency and consistent communication, enabling supervisors to remain informed and aligned with the ongoing activities of their team or department.
- I kept my supervisor informed of recent events.
- I always kept the supervisor informed of relevant information.
- I informed my supervisor if progress on the task was delayed.
- I consulted with the supervisor before engaging in new procedures that had some risk.
- I let the supervisor know of any setbacks to the progress on achieving goals.
- I made sure the supervisor was always informed of all important events.
- I informed supervisor of progress without having to be asked about it.
- I kept my supervisor informed of recent activities.
Integrity and HonestyIntegrity and Honesty emphasizes accountability for ethical conduct and trustworthiness. It includes maintaining transparency, discretion, and commitment to ethical standards in all communications and actions. This dimension prioritizes the moral and ethical aspects of accountability, ensuring individuals can be trusted to uphold their word and admit mistakes openly.
- I can be counted on to do what I say I am going to do.
- I am someone who is trustworthy.
- I upheld ethical standards even when no one was watching.
- I maintained honesty and transparency in all communications.
- I handled sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
- I chose integrity over convenience.
- I took responsibility for my actions and admitted mistakes openly.
- I kept my word and did what I said I would do.
ExpectationsExpectations emphasizes individual accountability for fulfilling roles, commitments, and goals. It centers on personal reliability, meeting established standards, and aligning individual objectives with broader organizational goals. This dimension also stresses holding oneself and others accountable for unmet expectations while making corrective actions to ensure high performance and consistency.
- I consistently strove to meet high standards of excellence.
- I took full responsibility for unmet expectations and made corrective actions immediately.
- I consistently followed through on commitments and promises.
- I can be counted on to do my role well.
- I ensured that employee objectives were aligned with the organization's objectives.
- I worked to achieve established goals.
- I set clear expectations for performance.
- I held employees accountable for completing the project successfully.
- I followed through on commitments made.
- I honored the commitments and promises made to customers/clients.
On Time
- I held myself and others accountable for meeting the deadline.
- I do not make excuses for being late for work.
- I consistently strove to complete work on time or ahead of schedule.
- I was able to complete required tasks on time and delivered expected results.
- I accepted personal responsibility for the timeliness of my work.
- I was prepared and on time for meetings and scheduled events.
- I do not make excuses for missed deadlines.
- Regularly completed tasks on time.
- I always start work on time.
- I show up for work on time.
Accountable to Others
- I welcome the responsibility for meeting the broad range of needs of stakeholders and clients.
- I consistently exhibited professionalism in interactions with employees.
- I ensured that employees were compensated fairly and in accordance with established policies.
- I exhibited good governance in my role as an executive.
- I provided clear reasons for underperformance.
- I was responsible for the fair and just implementation of the contract with the union.
- I was responsible for ensuring that employees were treated fairly.