“We’re building a culture of accountability”. The moment those words escape a leader’s lips, my internal alarm bells start ringing. It’s one of the many corporate phrases that promise so much whilst often delivering so little. Because, in practice, it’s the executive team’s way of saying “we want everyone else to be held responsible for outcomes” whilst quietly exempting themselves from the same standards. True accountability isn’t something you announce, it’s something you demonstrate.

And here’s where the hypocrisy often reveals itself:

Leaders trumpet “accountability” then promptly avoid difficult conversations with underperforming senior team members. They demand extreme consistency for frontline metrics whilst their own erratic decision-making is positioned as a “strategic pivot.” They insist on rigid deadlines for their workforce whilst taking their own sweet time to respond to simple approval requests.

This twisted version of accountability is typically directed downwards, never upward. And in this guise, accountability becomes a weapon used to control rather than a way of working meant to encourage greatness.

Genuine accountability cultures don’t need to be announced because they’re visible in action. They’re evident when leaders publicly admit their mistakes. They shine through when executives face the same consequences for missed targets as their teams. They’re unmistakable when feedback flows freely in all directions without career-limiting repercussions.

• If your organisation is serious about accountability, be sure to incorporate these essential strategies:
• Create psychological safety where failure is seen as a learning opportunity, not career suicide.
• Ensure those accountable are given genuine decision-making authority.
  Distribute accountability proportionally to power and influence.
• Recognise systemic constraints instead of blaming individual shortcomings.

Next time you hear “we’re building a culture of accountability,” ask yourself: are we creating conditions for success, or just identifying who to punish for failure?

The difference isn’t subtle. It’s everything.

Welcome to the Friday Confessional. If you know, you know.