What's the difference between Accountability and Responsibility? As per corporate ethics and well agreed by learned persons "You are answerable in case of being accountable whereas same not holds true in case of being Responsible." The reason behind writing this blog is my own experiences where I found myself in such scenarios where I was not able to distinguish whether I am Accountable or Responsible for any of the task provided to me. In real sense a Supervisor is Accountable and people working under them are Responsible for their task. In case of any task getting delayed or not up to date its sole responsibility of Supervisor only to intimate the final status or update and the proper reasoning behind it to the senior level. But problem arises when supervisor held resources under them for accountability too and use them as their armor and shield to save their own interest. This process of making some one scapegoat for saving your own ass is practiced very badly by those who themselves are not confident enough in themselves and always run for some or the other excuses. Although unethical but it has been a common practice now a days which is really ruining the healthy work environment. I would like to appeal all such professionals to be a man to accept any kind of responsibility or accountability.And have a sport for keeping team spirit and moral high , come whatever may!!
P.S: The below differential picture may clear the role of each and clear some more vision of what is required and expected from whom.
P.S: The below differential picture may clear the role of each and clear some more vision of what is required and expected from whom.
In practical sense, corporate accountability is only seen when Client A requests work to be don e by Party B and B outsources it to C. If C is not able to meet its deadline then also only B is the sufferer as A only knows B as its service provider. If that happens B must either outsource it to D, E etc to get it done or do itself as here shield of " Its C fault" is useless
ReplyDeleteThis is not the case when A requests B to do a task and within group (B1,b2....b(n) ) suppose b3 for eg. is not able to finish his/her task then it is easy to finger out the individual as now he/she shoulders (responsibility+accountability) both.
Hence it is advisable to examine the scenario first an then plan accordingly your defense in case. The leader must clearly explain whether it was a failure of the "TEAM" or an "individual".
What a good citation Manas!! Hats off.. And in my case leader is accountable and people under them are held responsible.
ReplyDelete