Personal accountability is definitely a competency and those who embrace it have a strong sense of responsibility. They think differently and develop a healthy mind-set.
Keep your commitments: In simple ways such as being a person of your word, honouring people’s faith in you, dealing with your challenges in a mature manner, delivering on your promises to all your peers including the juniors and not just your manager.
Own what you influence: You influence people, results and not just the things you directly do have authority over but your expanded area of influence. For example who is looking up to you? Who can be positively influenced by your example? Keep things professional and focus on what you can create to be a positive impact instead of reacting to what happens around you.
Be responsible for your behaviour: You can expect others will behave a certain way but the only thing you can guarantee or control is your own behaviour. So try not to model your behaviour on the basis of how someone else does. Seemingly calm or content people are not those who don’t have any problems but those who have chosen to keep things in perspective.
Make integrity visible: Don’t just talk about it. This does not mean you have to be an angel or infallible. But you cannot fail on basics, such as leading by example especially when it’s difficult; willingness to draw the lines between right and wrong.
Do your best always: Not only when circumstances are ‘perfect’. A reasonable workplace or boss would not expect that you do brilliantly in sub-optimal circumstances but only to do your best in whatever circumstance. Seize the responsibility to be productive as far as it is within your grasp.
Now take action: Where do you need to show greater personal accountability?
