5 Rules Of Accountability You Should Try

5 Rules of Accountability You Should Try_Held in High Esteem

A very vital step to obtaining goals is to embrace accountability. When you’re held accountable for your actions and thoughts, you learn to become “true to self”. Often times, in friendships and relationships, you have to hold others accountable as well. Accountability can be:

  • Speaking up when something doesn’t seem right, instead of staying quiet.
  • Reminding someone how much better they can do instead of what they're currently doing.
  • Knowing when someone needs a little pressure, or nudge to do what they should.
  • A reminder to stay on the right track.
  • Telling someone you notice the areas they are slacking in.


We all need some form of accountability at different stages of our lives. The tough part here, is to accept it when it comes our way instead of being defensive. Real relationships should not exist strictly for enjoyment, but should promote growth, change, leadership, and accountability as well. These should be real friendship goals. You should want everyone in your circle be successful in any way possible.


It seems like everyone in this generation is focused on trying to please others, and will go along with anything for the sake of fitting in. People have lost their voices and opinions on real issues for fear of being talked about, or excluded. STOP TRYING TO FIT IN, AND FOCUS ON BEING AUTHENTIC INSTEAD!! Without further ado, here are my top five rules towards accountability.

5 Rules of Accountability You Should Try_Held in High Esteem

1. Show correction with love. Your approach to others will determine if, and how your message will be received. The main question to ask yourself is ‘If someone talked to me this way, how would it make me feel?” This includes your tone of voice, body stance, demeanor, word choice, and eye contact. Also, make sure you are establishing an environment that allows for tough conversations to be held.


2. Discuss matters in privacy. A crowd is not always needed, nor is it helpful in most cases. Everyone doesn’t need to know what you’re doing, and who you are doing it with. Discuss personal matters behind closed doors to ensure  no one has to “act” a certain way because of others watching.


3. Stand your ground. If you are speaking truth, and have something worth being heard, show confidence in just that. The other person may disagree with you, but continue to stand your ground. You don’t have to be overly persistent and annoying, but say what you need to say. Remember, you are here to tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.


4. If things become too intense, take a moment to breathe and calm down. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of what it is you want to say. No one wants to talk to an overly emotional person, so make sure your feeling are in check. Yes, you can show them, but the yelling, attitude, cursing, and so on is not needed.


5. Make it a judgement-free zone. Do not, i repeat, do not  judge anyone for their mistakes, or decisions. Keep the dialogue open so the other person is comfortable speaking. You want them to receive the constructive criticism as just that, and not pure judgement. It’s important for the other person to feel you are coming from a concerned, yet supportive perspective.


Accountability should not be avoided for fear of not measuring up to your own expectations, or that of someone else’s. It’s really just a fear that’s holding you back, and you were not meant to live in fear.


How do you deal with accountability? Share below.