The Unanswerable History of Accountability
An Irresponsible Reckoning of a Definitional Blackhole
In 2013, scientists discovered a black hole that was so massive (12 billion times the size of our sun) and old (over a billion years) that it has once again changed our understanding of the universe. I submit that if scientists studied the history and avoidance of accountability in western culture, they might be equally stunned.
While that analogy is more than a touch dramatic, the realities of where we stand and how we got there are hard to compare to anything short of a black hole. The definition, history, and evolution of accountability are always circuitous, often vacuous, and tear at the fabric of the concept entirely. This article will detail some of that history and examine a path forward that my be more helpful to professional development and the development of any organization trying to build a respectable level of accountability.
Definitions
Well that is helpful… sigh. Worse yet, the synonym responsibility is defined:
the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something
Digging down into accountable we see:
1. (of a person, organization, or institution) required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible.
2. explicable; understandable; answerable
So after a dizzying number of Google/Dictionary references we learn that accountable, understandable, answerable, responsible(one variant), and explicable all mean the same thing…?
Sadly, for many people and many organizations, this is probably true. A person is accountable so long as they can explain their actions. But then after the age of ten and with the possible exception of a few drunken college parties, can’t most of us explain the vast majority of our actions? Are we all accountable up to that third glass of wine? Is that justified?
Ah, perhaps there is hope in required to justify decisions? Now accountability at least requires you to explain your actions as being right or reasonable. Let’s not fall in the hole that cast reasonability and accountability as a new pair of multi-syllabic synonyms. Seriously, how many big words do we really need to mean the same thing? Accountability is being expected to show that your decisions are right. This still seems to be missing something…
Sadly, for many people and many organizations,… yeah, you are going to see this a few more times… this is probably true. Accountability is an expectation of explanation… and there it ends. Is that really accountability? Even if we replace show with prove, which I submit is a big improvement, so what? Doesn’t accountability imply consequence? With all the big words… where is that one?
History
Etymology is a powerful tool. The history of words is often enlightening. But the etymology of accountability is colorful, not very helpful. Although, we will hold on to the base of account from count or measurable… more on that below, I reckon.
The etymology of justify, however, is far more rewarding…
So justify comes from justice and justice brings us the assigning of reward or punishment. You can thank the French for that. And so with a mere thousand year trek through the history of language, we finally arrive.
Accountability is being expected to prove, in a measurable way, that your decisions are right in order to gain reward or avoid punishment.
That, to me, is accountability. I submit that if more people, organizations, and institution gave as much thought to this definition as this short article — we would have better people, organizations, and institutions. Accountability is a form of feedback. Something I have written about at length. It is also a form of discipline, something I intend to write more about.
Somehow the definition of accountability has become obscured in our society. Centuries of history have weakened aspects of its definition. While not proof, how the term is used or abused in most organizations certainly supports this observation. Only the most disciplined organizations continue to hold to its fullest definition (and many of those still struggle with the measured aspect).
Properly defined, accountability should be at the heart of your career and your organization. It is critical to leadership, decision making, and professional development.
For more information on the author visit his profile on LinkedIN — George Earl
Etymology courtesy of:
