In the business sphere, the term accountability is used, an English term that does not have a precise translation in Spanish. In our language we talk about personal responsibility or individual attitude.
Commitment, proactivity and responsibility
This concept could be defined as the optimal way of working in an organization. Thus, when a company acts responsibly and with a proactive attitude, it is possible to affirm that there is accountability in said company. According to experts, there are three factors related to this issue: individual commitment, initiative based on proactivity and personal responsibility.
People who have this concept incorporated into their way of working carry success within them and do not depend on external conditions. In other words, if someone considers that their failure or success does not depend on them, their approach is doomed to failure. In this way, accountability is an absolute predisposition to assume individual responsibility. In the business world, this type of mentality is considered the paradigm of leadership.
Experts in business coaching maintain that the idea of accountability is essential to foster the emotional intelligence of managers and, at the same time, to increase the productivity of a company.
The opposite of accountability
In many business organizations certain personal attitudes express the opposite idea of accountability. In this way, those who are in the habit of blaming others or making all kinds of excuses to evade their responsibility are adopting a position contrary to the ideal way of working.
A theme typical of Anglo-Saxon culture that does not always fit in Latin culture
For an Englishman or an American, the word accountability expresses a concrete idea, accountability. Thus, a worker must be accountable to his superiors for what he has done (how much he has produced, what steps he has taken, etc.).
In the Latin world there are also ways to establish individual responsibility and accountability mechanisms, but there is a different work culture. However, the term accountability is slowly gaining ground in Latin American business culture.
Photos: Fotolia – Leszekglasner / Barry Barnes