Welcome back to our series on the myths of accountability. This week, we’re tackling Myth #2: the belief that people don’t want or like being held accountable. Fortunately, this isn’t true—otherwise, we’d be out of business!
An interesting statistic from the Harvard Business Review helps debunk this idea: 50% of managers avoid holding people accountable, yet 72% of employees say they would benefit from it. So, if people don’t dislike accountability, what’s really going on?
The truth is that people often feel uncomfortable holding others accountable. Culturally, we’ve been conditioned to associate accountability with punishment, as though it’s only necessary when someone has done something wrong. This can make holding others accountable feel like playing the “bad guy.”
But here’s the key point: most people want accountability because it drives meaningful change and creates a sense of community. Accountability isn’t just about getting things done; it’s about letting others know what we are committed to. Knowing we’ll be held accountable makes us more likely to complete a task, even when motivation dips. And when someone else is invested in our progress, it becomes a point of connection—a chance to build trust, offer encouragement, and celebrate each other’s milestones.
Think of how often we push through when there’s someone waiting on us to complete something, a friend meeting us at the gym, or the sense of accomplishment when our efforts are recognized. Accountability provides a structure that acknowledges challenges and offers support, helping us move forward together.
In essence, people appreciate accountability not just because it supports their progress but because it builds a network of support. It’s not about punishment—it’s about being part of a system that helps us and others accomplish what we set out to do.
