Wisdom for LeadersSample

Active Accountability

Effective accountability partners are not passive. Once someone invites a friend into his or her life for accountability, it is a serious responsibility. Accountability is active, engaging, and encouraging. The giver and the receiver of accountability have entered into a trusting relationship. Indeed, wisdom listens to the warning of its accountability partner or group.

Authentic accountability requires caring confrontation. A little bit of short-term discomfort and embarrassment will save you a lot of long-term regrets. Thus, when you encounter emotional situations, keep a level head. Accountability facilitates objectivity. You have an objective team that gives you a wise perspective when you are under pressure. Your accountability group is there as a buffer to unwise decision-making (Ecclesiastes 4:13).

Accountability provides much-needed courage for another to do the right thing. Sometimes it is hard decisions that paralyze us into non-action. However, avoiding a difficult decision today will compound its inevitable consequences in the future. Accountability encourages you not to procrastinate when you are afraid. It relieves your fears and bolsters your faith.

For example, team members may need to be terminated for the good of the company and their individual betterment. Prospective church volunteers may need to be told, ‘no,’ because their character is not fitting for a leadership role. Your young adult children are not prepared for marriage because they need first to move out from home and experience independent living. Accountability helps everyone move forward in God’s will.

Above all else, live like you are accountable to Almighty God, as one day we will all give an account to Him for our actions (1 Peter 4:4-5).