When leaders are personally accountable, it means they are willing to answer for the outcomes of their choices, their behaviors, and their actions in all situations in which they are involved. Accountable leaders do not blame others when things go bad. Rather, they make things right – they are fixers.

When done right, accountability can increase people’s confidence in a leader. An accountable leader leads by example, he communicates effectively and he places priority in developing other leaders in his own form. A leader without a strong sense of accountability in himself and for the people around him may suffer a breakdown of trust, which may lead to poor outcomes.

In a democratic government, strong accountability is an important ingredient of good governance! When it is promoted, it offers trustworthiness and legitimacy to the government in the eyes of the electorates and the public in general. It may not solve the challenges that government faces directly, but it incentivises the workforce to act in the best interest of the public.