Accountability and My Personal Journey
As I sit here on my patio, overlooking the serene landscape of my backyard, I find myself reflecting on the concept of accountability. It's a notion that has woven its way through the fabric of my life, evolving and reshaping with each passing year.
In my youth, accountability was a very straightforward concept, instilled by my dad. It meant taking responsibility for my actions, owning up to my mistakes, and facing the consequences head-on. Growing up in a household where integrity was valued above all else, I was taught from an early age that accountability was not just a word but a way of life. Above all else, trust had to be earned and the only way to earn my dad’s trust was to hold myself accountable for all my actions. This included how I treated my brother and friends, my school work and grades, and most importantly, how I respected my parents.
As I ventured into the workforce, accountability took on a new dimension. It wasn't just about owning up to my own actions anymore; it was also about holding others accountable for theirs. As a leader in the tech industry, I quickly learned that accountability was essential for fostering a culture of trust and transparency within my team. Whether it was meeting project deadlines or delivering on promises made to clients, accountability was the cornerstone of our success. The old adage, “You are only as good as your word” was something to live up to.
However, as the years went by and the landscape of the business world shifted, so too did the interpretation of accountability. It wasn't enough to simply take responsibility for our actions; we also had to be accountable for the impact those actions had on others. This became especially apparent during the pandemic.
When the owner of the company I worked for demanded that I terminate employees to safeguard his profits, I was faced with a moral dilemma. On one hand, I understood the need to make difficult decisions to ensure the survival of the business. But on the other hand, I couldn't ignore the human cost of those decisions. In the end, I chose to stand firm in my conviction that accountability meant more than just protecting the bottom line—it meant safeguarding the well-being of my employees, even at the risk of my own career.
As I retired from the tech industry and embarked on a new chapter of my life, I found that my understanding of accountability continued to evolve. No longer bound by the constraints of corporate hierarchies, I began to see accountability as a deeply personal journey—one that required introspection and self-awareness.
I realized that true accountability goes beyond external obligations; it requires a commitment to living in alignment with my values and principles. Whether it's in my relationships with my family or my interactions with the wider community, I strive to hold myself accountable for the impact of my words and actions. During my hiatus from the workforce, I placed a much higher value on all my relationships and living up to a standard that could be proud of.
Now that I have returned to the workforce, I live each day and make every decision with a heightened sense of responsibility to “do the right thing”. I am no longer a “paycheck player” because I don’t need to be; I now work because I love being in the game, I love helping get the most out of my team, I love helping customers achieve their goals and being part of a great team again.
In today's rapidly changing world, the interpretation of accountability may continue to shift and evolve. But one thing remains constant: at its core, accountability is about integrity, empathy, and a willingness to do what is right, even when it's not easy.
As I take one last look at the sun setting over the horizon, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. In a world filled with uncertainty, one thing I can always count on is my unwavering commitment to accountability—in both my professional and personal life. And for that, I am truly grateful.
